Re*tain" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Retained (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Retaining.] [F. retainir, L. retinere; pref.
re- re- + tenere to hold, keep. See Tenable, and
cf. Rein of a bridle, Retention, Retinue.]
1. To continue to hold; to keep in possession;
not to lose, part with, or dismiss; to retrain from departure, escape,
or the like. "Thy shape invisibleretain."
Shak.
Be obedient, and retain
Unalterably firm his love entire.
Milton.
An executor may retain a debt due to him from
the testator.
Blackstone.
2. To keep in pay; to employ by a preliminary
fee paid; to hire; to engage; as, to retain a
counselor.
A Benedictine convent has now retained the most
learned father of their order to write in its defense.
Addison.
3. To restrain; to prevent. [Obs.]
Sir W. Temple.
Retaining wall (Arch. & Engin.), a
wall built to keep any movable backing, or a bank of sand or earth, in
its place; -- called also retain wall.
Syn. -- To keep; hold; retrain. See Keep.
Re*tain", v. i. 1.
To belong; to pertain. [Obs.]
A somewhat languid relish, retaining to
bitterness.
Boyle.
2. To keep; to continue; to remain.
[Obs.] Donne.
Re*tain" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Retained (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Retaining.] [F. retainir, L. retinere; pref.
re- re- + tenere to hold, keep. See Tenable, and
cf. Rein of a bridle, Retention, Retinue.]
1. To continue to hold; to keep in possession;
not to lose, part with, or dismiss; to retrain from departure, escape,
or the like. "Thy shape invisibleretain."
Shak.
Be obedient, and retain
Unalterably firm his love entire.
Milton.
An executor may retain a debt due to him from
the testator.
Blackstone.
2. To keep in pay; to employ by a preliminary
fee paid; to hire; to engage; as, to retain a
counselor.
A Benedictine convent has now retained the most
learned father of their order to write in its defense.
Addison.
3. To restrain; to prevent. [Obs.]
Sir W. Temple.
Retaining wall (Arch. & Engin.), a
wall built to keep any movable backing, or a bank of sand or earth, in
its place; -- called also retain wall.
Syn. -- To keep; hold; retrain. See Keep.
Re*tain", v. i. 1.
To belong; to pertain. [Obs.]
A somewhat languid relish, retaining to
bitterness.
Boyle.
2. To keep; to continue; to remain.
[Obs.] Donne.
