Retain \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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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