Retain - Definition

v 1: hold back within; "This soil retains water"; "I retain this
drug for a long time"; "the dam retains the water"
2: allow to remain in a place or position or maintain a property
or feature; "We cannot continue several servants any longer";
"She retains a lawyer"; "The family's fortune waned and they
could not keep their household staff"; "Our grant has run out
and we cannot keep you on"; "We kept the work going as long
as we could"; "She retained her composure"; "this garment
retains its shape even after many washings" [syn: retain,
continue, keep, keep on]
3: secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The
landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right
to disagree" [syn: retain, hold, keep back, hold
back]
4: keep in one's mind; "I cannot retain so much information"