01 v. t. To continue to hold; to keep in possession; not to lose, part with, or dismiss; to restrain from departure, escape, or the like.
imp. & p. p.
Retained; p. pr. & vb. n.
Retaining
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1.
To continue to hold; to keep in possession; not to lose, part with, or dismiss; to restrain from departure, escape, or the like.“Be obedient, and retain Unalterably firm his love entire.” — Milton.“An executor may retain a debt due to him from the testator.” — Blackstone.
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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.
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3.
To restrain; to prevent.[Obs.]
Phrases & compounds
Retaining wall —
a wall built to keep any movable backing, or a bank of sand or earth, in its place; -- called also retain wall.