2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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}. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  retained 
  adj  :  continued  in  your  keeping  or  use  or  memory;  "in...the 
  retained  pattern  of  dancers  and  guests  remembered" 
  [syn:  {maintained}] 

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