retainv.

Brit.

/rᵻˈteɪn/, U.S.

/rəˈteɪn/,

/riˈteɪn/

Forms: late Middle English resteyne (probably transmission error), late Middle English retenne, late Middle English reteygn, late Middle English reteygne, late Middle English reteyign, late Middle English (in a late copy)–1500s reteign, late Middle English–1500s reteigne, late Middle English–1600s retayne, late Middle English–1600s reteine, late Middle English–1600s retene, late Middle English–1600s reteyn, late Middle English–1600s reteyne, 1500s–1600s retaine, 1500s–1600s retayn, 1500s–1600s reteane, 1500s–1600s retein, 1500s– retain, 1600s retine; Scottish pre-1700 ratine, pre-1700 retaine, pre-1700 retean, pre-1700 reteane, pre-1700 reteene, pre-1700 retein, pre-1700 reteine, pre-1700 retene, pre-1700 retent (past participle), pre-1700 reteyne, pre-1700 retine, pre-1700 retyne, pre-1700 1700s– retain. N.E.D. (1908) also records forms late Middle English reteyene, late Middle English retine, pre-1700 retenne (Scottish).

Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymons: French retenir, reteigner.

Etymology: < Anglo-Norman retener, retenier, reteigner, reteiner, reteingner, restenir, retiner, Anglo-Norman and Middle French retenir to keep back for oneself, to take possession of, to guard, keep (for someone), to maintain at one's service, to employ, to keep near one, to detain, to make one's prisoner, to hinder, to restrain, to repress, to control, to prevent the action of, to remember, to maintain in good condition or good repair, (reflexive) to refrain from (all 11th or 12th cent. in Old French), to keep in one's body, to fail to eliminate from one's body (13th cent.), to engage, hire (c1317), to take note of (late 14th cent.), to restrain or contain (oneself) (1538), to keep, preserve (a name, trait, etc.) (1546), to maintain (a custom, tradition, etc.) (1588) < classical Latin retinēre to hold fast, prevent from escaping, to detain, to hold back, stop, to restrain, to keep hold of, to hold in place, to contain, to keep, to continue to use or observe, to continue to have, to recollect, in post-classical Latin also to keep attached to one's person or engaged in one's service (from 12th cent. in British sources), to engage or keep (as advocate or attorney) (from 14th cent. in British sources) < re- re- prefix + tenēre to hold (see tenant n.). Compare Catalan retenir (12th cent.), Spanish retener (12th cent.), Portuguese reter (13th cent.), Italian ritenere , †retenere (13th cent.). Compare retentive adj.¹, retention n.With the form variation compare discussion at maintain v., and compare also contain v., detain v., pertain v., sustain v. With sense 1e compare earlier retained adj. 1a. With the Older Scots past participle form retent perhaps compare retent adj.¹

a. transitive. To restrain; to hold back, check, or stop; to prevent or hinder. Frequently with from.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)]

pindeOE

steerc950

hold971

forbidc1000

withstewc1175

withholdc1200

stewa1225

crempa1250

bistintc1300

i-stillc1315

withdraw1340

entemperc1380

rebukec1380

forfenda1382

refraina1382

refrainc1390

restraina1393

restayc1400

retainc1415

to hold abackc1440

overholda1450

reclaim?c1450

revokec1450

bedwynge1480

sniba1500

repressa1525

rein1531

inhibit1535

to keep back1535

cohibit1544

reprimec1550

lithe1552

to rein up1574

check1581

embridle1583

to rein in1593

retrench1594

refrenate1599

to hold back1600

snip1601

becheck1605

sneap1611

trasha1616

supersede1645

reprimand1689

snape1691

to clap a guy on1814

to pull up1861

to pull in1893

withstrain1904

the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (transitive)] > from an action, purpose, etc.

warnc888

withseta1330

defendc1330

conclude1382

privea1387

retainc1415

refrain1442

prohibit1483

repel1483

stop1488

sever?1507

discourage1528

seclude?1531

prevent1533

foreclose1536

lock1560

stay1560

disallow1568

intercept1576

to put bya1586

crossa1616

stave1616

prevent1620

secure1623

stave1630

riot1777

tent1781

footer1813

to stop off1891

mozz1941

c1415 (c1390) G. Chaucer Melibeus (Lansd.) (1872) §2682 Þere bue mony þinges þat schold reteyne ȝowe of vengeance takeinge.

1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 10 Whan..Hercules and..Iason had retayned these Centaures, they had eche of them a bowe whiche they bende.

1481 W. Caxton tr. Siege & Conqueste Jerusalem (1893) xlviii. 88 They armed them and reteyned theyr peple that began to flee.

1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. ci^v He is bound that he should neuer retayne the Swyches from the Emperor.

1595 W. Allen et al. Conf. Next Succession Crowne of Ingland ii. ii. 10 It is hard to retayne a mans consent from that which is said vntil he haue read the reasons of the other party.

1639 S. Du Verger tr. J.-P. Camus Admirable Events 279 Barsimee retained by a certaine shamefastnesse..would by no meanes yeeld to marry.

1695 W. Temple Introd. Hist. Eng. (1699) 287 He..had killed him if his Brother Robert had not retained him.

1737 Gentleman's Mag. Jan. 35/1 The untouchable foot retain'd the grave Spaniards from intermedling in so delicate an Affair.

1791 in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 81 87 The quantity of emitted particles may well become adequate to the constitution of a shining fluid,..provided a cause can be found that may retain them from flying off.

1803 J. Pickersgill Three Brothers IV. xi. 326 What at first retained him from profiting by it, was the painful consideration, [etc.].

1896 tr. K. Dilgskron Life Blessed Gerard Majella xx. 329 The servant of God interceded for him and retained them from giving expression to their outraged feelings, at least until the man was able to escape.

1922 Burlington Mag. June 260/2 Renoir was a great intellect, in nothing greater than in this, that his august critical faculty retained him from all digression.

2003 C. Lonien Japanese Econ. & Social Syst. iii. 60 A young employee..is penalized by a lower wage and this may not only frustrate him, but also retain him from producing [etc.].

b. transitive (reflexive). To restrain oneself; to contain oneself, exercise self-control.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > restrained or moderate behaviour > exercise moderation or restraint [verb (reflexive)]

hold971

withholdc1200

containc1290

keep1340

restraina1387

refrainc1450

retaina1500

attemper1548

retract1548

temper1560

reserve1586

check1833

a1500 (a1450) Generides (Trin. Cambr.) 1543 (MED) For your wurchippe yow most your self reteyne, And take a good avise in this mater.

1607 E. Grimeston tr. S. Goulart Admirable & Memorable Hist. 31 He retayned himselfe vntill that Supper was ended, then seeing them to enter the Chamber..Hee..first kills the Adulterer, and then his wife.

1629 J. Reynolds tr. L. de Marandé Iudgm. Humane Actions iv. i. 118 Shee [sc. the soul] can no longer retaine her selfe, and..forgetting her selfe, she suffer her selfe to be led and caried away by the violent streame of her passions.

1703 tr. P. Segneri Penitent Instructed iv. 32 That they are so accustomed that they can't possibly retain themselves.

1834 W. J. Thoms Lays & Legends Germany xliv. 246 Little Margery kept weeping and could not retain herself.

1869 Daily News 30 Oct. Lord Stanley, who retained himself during the greater part of the service, was completely overcome.

1912 R. Brown When Dreams come True xxv. 241 He was beside himself. He talked and laughed aloud repeatedly when alone, scarcely able to retain himself.

1999 N. Mones Lost in Transl. i. 20 He noted that the foreign woman retained herself implacably. At least she had control.

c. transitive. Originally: to keep in custody or under control; to prevent from leaving. Later usually of an object: to hold (something) fixed in a place or position; to prevent from becoming separated or detached.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)] > from going on or away

stayc1440

retainc1515

to keep ungone1572

keepa1627

bail1879

c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxix. 237 My brother and his wyf..I haue retayned them in my pryson.

1577 H. Rhodes Bk. Nurture (new ed.) sig. D.viii For empty fystes, men vse to say, cannot the Hawke retayne.

1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 51 On this and the East sides, are two Mils to retaine the water when the Sea ebs.

1674 D. Brevint Saul & Samuel 223 May not one as well curse, whom God blesses, as retain or bind whom God remits?

1720 J. Ozell et al. tr. R. A. de Vertot Hist. Revol. Rom. Republic II. xii. 242 Cicero..sends immediately certain Senators, to retain the People in their Duty.

1809 A. Henry Trav. & Adventures Canada 123 The skin, which alone retained his hand to his arm, he cut through.

1858 S. G. Wilmot On Stricture of Urethra vi. 129 In such strictures absorption takes place with remarkable rapidity, by retaining catheters permanently in the bladder.

1873 G. Fleming Pract. Horse-shoeing (ed. 2) 100 The extra strain on the nails retaining it [sc. the bar shoe] to the hoof.

1924 E. Best Maori as he Was vi. 196 No form of hat was worn, the tipare being but a chaplet or band to retain plumes.

1945 C. E. Balleisen Princ. Firearms viii. 82 The successful design of a cartridge belt requires that the cartridges in it be properly located and retained in that position.

1967 T. Lewis & L. R. Taylor Introd. Exper. Ecol. v. 253 The air escapes through a metal gauze cone, but the animals are retained and fall into a collecting jar.

2002 Dental Pract. 1 Apr. 14/4 A selection of the more traditional prostheses retained by adhesive or aids such as spectacles.

†d. intransitive. To refrain from something. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)]

holdc897

forgoa1000

oversitOE

forbearc1200

letc1330

to let bec1385

to lay apart1526

refrain1528

to let pass1530

retainc1540

abstain1578

restrain1594

stay1599

nurture1627

withhold1650

waive1653

inhold1655

withstand1852

skip1961

c1540 J. Bellenden tr. H. Boece Hyst. & Cron. Scotl. iii. xii. f. 34/2 Vespasian..had sic compassion y^t he micht not retene fra teris.

1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge v. i. sig. I2^v They can scarce retaine from bursting foorth In plaine reuolt.

e. transitive. Medicine. To keep (a substance or tissue, esp. urine) in the body; to fail to eliminate (a substance) from the body or an organ. Occasionally also intransitive.

ΚΠ

1569 R. Androse tr. ‘Alessio’ 4th Bk. Secretes sig. a4 Remedie the griefes and bloude retayned in the Matrix.

1634 J. Levett Ordering of Bees 59 They haue no Intraylls or other inward Organs, by which either to retaine or evacuat.

1657 B. W. tr. B. Bauderon Expert Phisician 24 Melancholly juyce retained in a part doth not so easily putrefie as other Humours.

1707 tr. de la Vauguion Compl. Body Chirurg. Operations (ed. 2) xviii. 96 When the String is broke and the Placenta is retained, you must Speedily introduce your Hand..and..bring it away.

1797 W. Buchan Domest. Med. (ed. 15) ii. 125 Others have brought on very tedious..disorders by retaining theur urine too long.

1845 E. W. Murphy Lect. Nat. & Difficult Parturition vi. 111 By pulling too much at the funis, the placenta may be retained.

1893 I. B. Yeo Man. Med. Treatm. iv. v. 89 It is an appropriate beverage in febrile cases, as it quenches thirst, and can often be retained in the stomach when all other food is rejected.

1949 H. W. C. Vines Green's Man. Pathol. (ed. 17) vii. 129 Their toxins may in some cases be retained within the organisms themselves (endotoxins), and are only liberated on their death and disintegration.

1958 Nursing (St. John Ambulance Assoc.) xv. 199 Per rectum, in the form of an enema to be retained.

1987 Theriogenology 28 755 Cows which retain the placenta may have abnormally high progesterone and low estradiol-178 and prolactin concentrations in plasma prior to parturition.

2008 Neurocomputing 71 744/1 At this point, in order to retain urine, the detrusor pressure and the disabling micturition neuronal signals increase.

f. transitive. Of a body, object, material, etc.: to hold or keep something (as liquid, magnetism, etc.) within itself; to contain.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > incorporation or inclusion > incorporate or include [verb (transitive)]

beclipc1230

beshut1340

contain1340

comprehendc1374

continue1377

begripe1393

close1393

incorpor1398

conceive?c1400

includec1475

engrossa1500

complect1523

conclude?1523

employ1528

to take in1534

retain1577

surmise1578

imprehend1590

immerse1605

comprise1651

involve1651

complexa1657

embrace1697

incorporate1824

embody1847

cover1868

1577 Hill's Gardeners Labyrinth ii. iii. 5 For the Cleyie ground of it selfe, ouerfast holdeth: but the sandie and rough, in a contrarie maner: so that neyther is wonte to nourish plantes, nor retayne water.

1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica 68 The subsiding powder dryed, retaines some magneticall vertue.

1702 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 23 1207 All their Fields..are made into such Plots as may retain the Water on them when they please.

1773 R. Whitworth Rep. & Surv. Canal Waltham-Abbey to Moorfields 12 I cannot forbear mentioning Mr. Brindley's valuable Discovery of making almost any Soil whatever, resist and retain Water as well as Clay.

1861 Amer. Agriculturist Jan. 14/3 To keep our bodies warm, we must either put on warmer non-conducting clothing, to retain the heat of the system, or we must consume and digest more food (fuel).

1876 R. Routledge Discov. & Inventions 19th Cent. 394 The electro-magnets are excited by a portion of the currents they themselves produce, they retaining sufficient residual magnetism to develop the currents.

1971 Jrnl. Atmospheric & Terrestr. Physics 33 581 Bodies that become electrically charged may retain their charge for a very long period and static electric shocks are a commonplace experience.

2009 New Scientist 27 June 11/2 Treating the older skin with niacinamide, which helps skin retain moisture, damped down expression of genes related to inflammation.

a. transitive. To keep in one's own hands or under one's own control; to keep back; to keep hold or possession of; to continue to have. Cf. keep v. 29a. Also intransitive.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (intransitive)]

retainc1425

c1425 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 54 (MED) Sum penyes..he reteynyd..that these with othir of his owne by ofte eschangynge he wolde had multiplied.

1438 in A. T. Bannister Reg. Thome Spofford (1919) 224 (MED) In youre said covent sustren reteynen money and proveis thame selfe privatly ayens the ordir of religion.

a1475 in A. Clark Eng. Reg. Godstow Nunnery (1905) i. 200 (MED) They may..distreyne & reteyne þe distresses tyll þat they be satisfied fully of þe rent.

1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. N3^v [He] will yet..notwithstanding reteane the same charge, and function to himselfe still.

1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. x. sig. I7^v Taking downe the shield, with me [I] did it retaine .

c1613 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 102 To deliver one parte to Mr. Blount, & retine another parte for you with the obligation.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 532 His Power no less he seem'd Above the rest still to retain .

1692 Earl of Galloway's Family Papers 28 Apr. in Dict. Older. Sc. Tongue at Retention For ane quarters retention deduced & reteined by his lordship as the annuelrent..of 3000 merks..granted..to..Patrick Don.

1713 I. Newton Let. ?Dec. (1976) VI. 51 We are humbly of opinion..that the Master & Worker..have power to retain the Coinage whenever upon the Assay it proves not good.

1766 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. II. xxxii. 511 The executor..is allowed to pay himself first; by retaining in his hands so much as his debt amounts to.

1810 T. Williamson E. India Vade-mecum I. 209 The sircar, or tusseel-dar, (cash keeper,) receiving one key, and the master retaining the other.

1847 L. H. Kerr tr. L. von Ranke Hist. Servia 288 Some men are more competent to acquire than to retain.

1883 J. A. Froude Short Stud. 4th Ser. i. iii. 27 He still aimed at retaining the most lucrative of his benefices.

1939 Econ. Jrnl. 49 543 It is usually assumed..that good-will is maximised by cutting prices and retaining customers.

1943 Jrnl. Farm Econ. 25 304 Steps should be taken to retain present key-workers and to replace those where production is threatened.

1967 Economist 17 June 1248/4 There is strong feeling against companies..which retain control of an empire with the minimum of capital through ‘pyramiding’.

2006 Place in Sun May 212/2 If the buyer withdraws, the vendor will retain the deposit.

b. transitive. To continue to have or possess (an attribute, quality, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > retain a quality or characteristic

keepc1315

reservec1425

retain?a1475

?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1869) II. 51 (MED) The water of Thamyse..floethe by Oxforde, London, vn to the haven of Sandewiche, goenge þer in to the este see, reteynenge [a1387 J. Trevisa tr. holdeþ; L. retinet] the name of hit paste London by xlti myles.

a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 55 (MED) Oo þynge is souerainly necessary to him..That, all þinges forsaken, he forsake himself..& reteigne no þinge of propre loue.

1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias 1 b He gaue to the Ports..theyr names, which at this present they doe retaine.

1637 J. Milton Comus 29 Still she retaines Her maiden gentlenesse.

1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 10 A kind of Stone that long retains its whiteness.

1702 J. Floyer Cold Baths i. ii. 30 That Aversion most People retain against Cold Bathing, as if it would overchil them.

1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters i. Pref. Shall we borrow and retain the faults, the corruptions of the French?

1841 I. D'Israeli Amenities Lit. I. 101 The hills, the forests, and the rivers retain their old Celtic names.

1871 B. Stewart Heat (ed. 2) §12 They always retain unchanged their state with respect to heat.

1916 G. Saintsbury Peace of Augustans i. 19 Mr. Green..did think the literary articles obsolete, while to others they retain quite a lively interest.

1947 Gourmet Nov. 4/3 The croutons were sauteed in garlic oil, drained, and tossed in at the last minute, to retain their crispness.

1992 L. Gordon Shared Lives ii. 9 Clara always retained her diffidence, backing away from the affection she aroused.

c. transitive. To continue to use, practise, or recognize.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > continuing > continue (an action) [verb (transitive)] > continue a use or practice

keepc1315

entertain?c1452

retain1481

to summer and winter1602

sustain1602

1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde i. v. sig. b4 ^v Yf the men in thise dayes vnderstode wel this worde, they wolde reteyne more gladly the doctrynes that procede and come fro the mouth of our creatour and maker.

1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Ceremonies f. xxxv*^v Some [ceremonies] be retayned and kept still.

1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. i. 25^v The people are not only become warriers, but haue retained the customes and rytes of warre.

1605 M. Drayton Poems sig. Hh8 Which when they found how still I did retaine, Th'ambitious course wherein I first beganne.

c1613 S. Rowlands More Knaues Yet? 5 I thinke before the Conquest many yeares, We wore the fashion which we still retaine.

1654 J. Bramhall Just Vindic. Church of Eng. ii. 7 Both retein Communion with the Universal Church.

1737 Gentleman's Mag. Mar. 142/1 We have good Reason to exclude the 330 Kings..and retain only those who have left standing Monuments.

1771 T. Pennant Tour Scotl. 1769 214 Antient sports of the Highlanders..retained are, throwing the putting-stone, [etc.].

1855 E. B. Pusey Real Presence (1857) ii. 174 The Eastern Liturgies still for the most part retain the form of asserting the Real Presence.

1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues III. 320 It seemed better..to retain the order in which Plato himself has arranged this and the two companion dialogues.

1903 P. G. Konody tr. ‘C. Mauclair’ Fr. Impressionists ix. 196 That young generation of ‘Intimists’ who seem to have retained the best principles of the Impressionist masters.

1946 Nature 23 Mar. 369/1 We have deemed it desirable to retain the word ‘myosin’ and to add a prefix which suggests this specific relationship.

1999 Times Educ. Suppl. 7 May (Appointments Suppl.) 30/1 (advt.) Single-sex teaching is retained up to the age of 16 with co-education in the Post-16 phase.

d. transitive. To pronounce (a sin) unforgiven. Cf. remit v. 3a. [Translating or with reference to John 20:23, post-classical Latin quorum retinueritis, retenta sunt, Hellenistic Greek ἄν τινων κρατῆτε, κεκράτηνται] .

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > worship > sacrament > confession > absolution > give absolution [verb (transitive)] > keep or retain sins

retain1483

1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende f. xxvij/2 And of whom ye reteyne the synnes, they shal be reteyned.

1526 Bible (Tyndale) John xx. f. clj^v Whosoevers synnes ye remyt, they are remitted vnto them: And whosoevers synnes ye retayne, they are retayned.

1567 Compend. Bk. Godly Songs (1897) 7 Quhais Sinnis ȝe retene, ar retenit vnto thame.

1609 Bp. J. Hall Medit. & Vowes (new ed.) I. §98 I will so remit wrongs..and so reteine them, as I may not induce God to retaine mine to him.

1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xlii. 277 Refuse entrance into his Kingdom, to those whose Sins were Retained.

1674 D. Brevint Saul & Samuel 222 Where the power of Loosing and Remitting, follows close to that of Retaining and Binding.

1711 R. Laurence Sacerdotal Powers v. 123 A Laick's pretending to Bind and Loose, to Absolve and Retain Sins.

1784 E. Allen Reason xiii. §4. 455 That St. Peter or his successors should have a power of..remitting or retaining sins, is too great a power to be intrusted in men,..precluding the divine retribution of justice.

1827 J. Thomson Lett. Moral & Relig. State S. Amer. 132 The prince of the apostles, to whom Jesus Christ had granted the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and power to remit or to retain the sins of men.

1885 R. T. McMullen Priestly Pretensions 12 Several professing ‘priests’, conspicuous..for arrogating to themselves the power to remit or retain the sins of others.

1921 Jrnl. Relig. 1 438 The whole penance system sprang out of ‘a commission formally and authoritatively given by our Lord’ by which the Apostles were authorized to remit or to retain sins.

2000 L. McTaggart Being Catholic Today xi. 93 It is to be his presence in the world, the sign and reality of God's saving love, forgiving and retaining sins.

†e. intransitive. To continue, remain. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > lasting quality, permanence > be permanent [verb (intransitive)] > remain, continue

bidec893

ofstandeOE

astandc1000

restOE

holdc1175

dure1297

akeepc1300

lastc1300

arrest1393

containc1400

perseverec1425

reserve1529

to run on1533

to stick by ——1533

persist1538

persist1539

to hold up1582

retaina1631

persist1659

a1631 J. Donne To C'tess Huntingdon in Poems (1633) 109 No more can impure man retain and move In that pure region of a worthy love.

f. transitive. To allow (something) to remain in place, instead of discarding or removing it; to preserve.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > preserve from injury or destruction [verb (transitive)] > abstain from injuring, destroying, or removing

sparec897

reserve1634

retain1683

1683 tr. H. de Valois in tr. Eusebius et al. Hist. Church 660 (margin) Whereas that conjunction does disturb the sense,..I am of opinion, that 'tis to be removed. Yet the Fuketian Copy retains it.

1758 T. Newton Diss. Prophecies III. xi. 155 So many crosses, serving to superstition, ought rather to be removed than retained.

1764 Monthly Rev. Apr. 333 Whether we ought to retain or remove the Accents from our future impressions of Greek books.

1802 W. Scott Let. 10 May (1937) XII. 218 Many of the old words are retaind which neither the reciter nor copier understood.

1835 E. Bulwer-Lytton Rienzi I. ii. i. 177 But still to this day are retained the massive walls.

1874 T. Hardy Far from Madding Crowd II. ix. 100 People..still insisted upon calling him ‘Sergeant’ when they met him, which was in some degree owing to his having still retained the well-shaped moustache of his military days.

1938 Amer. Home Jan. 58/4 The porch and the entrance were retained and improved.

1952 Electronic Engin. 24 30/1 In almost every design, a modest number of electronic triggers is retained.

2008 Indianapolis Star 13 Jan. (Early ed.) (Indy Sunday section) 9/2 Lossy compression: A way to reduce the size of digital files that discards data but retains essential information.

a. transitive. To engage, hire, esp. on a temporary basis; to secure the services of (a person).In later use perhaps an extended use of sense 3b.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > working > labour supply > [verb (transitive)] > hire or employ

hirec1000

i-bye10..

i-hirec1000

soldc1386

takea1400

retain1437

wage1465

conduct1476

fee1488

conduce1502

implya1533

entertain1572

enter1585

wager1592

to fill up1598

to take on1611

improve1640

to speak for ——a1688

employa1727

engage1753

ploy1871

to turn on1893

to book up1915

1437 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1835) V. 39 (MED) He wold require þe sherrief to reteine a panel & to sitte for þe pees.

1476 in L. T. Smith York Plays (1885) p. xxxvii (MED) Þat no plaier..be conducte and reteyned to plaie but twise on þe day of þe saide playe.

a1525 ( Coventry Leet Bk. (1907) I. 59 Thei haue retained Mathew Ellerton..& John Trumpere, Mynstrells as for the Cite of Couentre.

1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 161 Having retained Mules for myself and Company, I made Provisions of Bread, Wine [etc.].

1846 Rep. Sel. Comm. Bridport Election Petition (Minutes of Evidence) 110 If the voter retained an agent, is not that professional person included in the costs?

1938 Research—National Resource (Rep. of National Sci. Comm. to National Resources Comm.) III. 44/1 Specialists retained as consultants or employed to direct a specific project.

1991 20th Cent. Brit. Hist. 2 146 Testimony from scientific ‘experts’, some of whom are retained by corporations to cast doubts on the..claims of environmentalists.

b. transitive. To engage (a lawyer, esp. a barrister) by the payment of a preliminary fee, in order to secure his or her services if required.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > legal profession > lawyer's client > engage a lawyer [verb (transitive)] > engage a barrister

retain1541

1541 T. Elyot Image of Gouernance v. f.10 He reteined aduocates in pore mens causes.

1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Cliens..is also he whiche hath retayned a lawyer to susteyne his matter.

1602 2nd Pt. Returne fr. Parnassus iv. ii Let me retaine you this terme for my cause.

1644 J. Bulwer Chirologia 52 In those large pewes, where those that were retained in causes did plead.

1745 J. Wesley Farther Appeal ii. 38 You must therefore file a Bill in Chancery, and retain a Lawyer belonging to that Court.

1775 J. Rayner Readings on Statutes 116 If the Matter was communicated to the Attorney or Solicitor, as a Secret, before he was employed or retained in the Cause.

1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxx. 325 ‘Mr. Pickwick is the defendant in Bardell and Pickwick, Serjeant Snubbin,’ said Perker. ‘I am retained in that, am I?’ said the Serjeant.

1892 Pall Mall Gaz. 4 July 2/2 The erroneous impression that the retaining of a barrister consists mainly in the retention of the fee by the barrister retained.

1901 W. B. Odgers in Cent. Law Reform vii. 234 The proceedings are of so simple a character that it is seldom necessary to retain a barrister, and the services of a solicitor can often be dispensed with.

1967 J. Barth Floating Opera (rev. ed.) x. 89 The nurses and the minister retained separate attorneys.

2000 A. Perry Twisted Root ix. 229 He informed them that he was the barrister retained by Cleo Anderson's solicitor.

a. transitive. Originally: to maintain as a follower or dependent; cf. retainder n. 2b. Later also more generally: to keep engaged in one's service; to employ. Now chiefly historical.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)]

holda855

haveeOE

witec1000

at-holdc1175

withholdc1200

keepc1400

reserve?a1439

retain1449

detain1541

to stick to ——1560

contain1600

to make good1606

preserve1617

inhold1726

to hang on to1873

the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (intransitive)] > attached to one's person or service

retain1449

the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > attached to one's person or service

at-holdc1200

withholdc1300

retain1449

reservea1529

1449–50 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Nov. 1449 §23. m. 5 The said duke..beyng reteigned with you, in your wages of werre..hath often..opened to hym [sc. the king of France]..the privite..of your seid counseill.

1489 W. Caxton tr. C. de Pisan Bk. Fayttes of Armes iii. viii. 182 I suppose that a capytayne with a companye of folke be reteyned in to the kynges wages.

1536 T. Cromwell in R. B. Merriman Life & Lett. T. Cromwell (1902) II. 38 The kinges pleasour is ye shal there reteyne onely foure clerkes.

1540 T. Cromwell in R. B. Merriman Life & Lett. T. Cromwell (1902) II. 267 Syr ther was also layde vnto my Charge at myne examenacyon that I hadde retaynyd contrarye to your lawse.

?1542 H. Brinkelow Complaynt Roderyck Mors xix. sig. E5^v Many noble men..retayne seruantys, & neuer gyue them peny wagys.

1623 T. Powell Attourneys Acad. 123 If this bee done with a single Vowcher, you are to retaine three Sergeants.

1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 376 The Suffee retains several [physicians] in Ordinary and others in Extraordinary.

1761 D. Hume Hist. Eng. to Henry VII I. viii. 168 A great number of knights were retained in his service.

1784 H. Knox Let. 3 Jan. in G. Washington Papers (1992) Confederation Ser. I. 6 The duties of the secretary at War, Master of ordnance and the..command of any troops which might be retained in service.

1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India I. ii. vii. 315 The magistrate..shall retain in his service..jesters, and dancers, and athletics.

1882 C. Pebody Eng. Journalism xix. 145 Mr. Levy..retained as contributors and critics men who were at least equal to those upon the staff of either of its contemporaries.

1912 M. L. Lyman et al. in L. L. Dock Hist. Nursing IV. iv. 141 The hospital retains a large staff of permanent head-nurses.

1962 G. Holmes Later Middle Ages, 1272–1485 ii. 29 Earl Thomas of Lancaster in the reign of Edward II..had a large number of men..retained for lifelong service in peace and war in return for grants of land or annual rents.

2000 R. Hoffman Princes of Ireland iii. 119 The cost of retaining clerks to assist him in keeping tenants' accounts certainly reduced his intake.

†b. intransitive. With to or unto. To be a retainer to a person; to be a dependant or adherent of. Also in extended use. Obsolete.In quot. 1710 in figurative context.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > subjection > service > servant > retainer or follower > be a retainer or follower [verb (intransitive)]

suec1390

pursue1485

retain1547

train1633

1547 in Bull. Inst. Hist. Res. (1928) 5 189 To whom they sayde they dyde retayne.

1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Acts 48 b He was reteynyng to Sergius Paulus, whiche was proconsull.

1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Cliens, is he that belongeth or reteyneth to som man in authoritee, to haue his defence and assistence in honest causes.

a1591 H. Smith Serm. (1637) 156 As many retaine unto Noblemen, not to doe them any service, but to have their countenance.

1612 M. Drayton Poly-olbion viii. 121 Those other Rils to Seuerne which retaine, And 'tended not on Teame.

1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica 42 Not only the Sadduces and such as retaine unto the Church of God.

1681 H. Neville Plato Redivivus 135 Most of the Members..thought it an honour to retain to some great Lord, and to wear his blew Coat.

1710 Ld. Shaftesbury Soliloquy 320 Idea! wait a while till I have examin'd thee, whence thou art, and to whom thou retain'st. Art thou of ambition's train?

a. transitive. To keep or hold in one's mind; to remember.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > memory > retention in the mind > retain in the memory [verb (transitive)]

i-mune971

to have (also bear, keep, hold, etc.) in minda1200

withholdc1200

membera1382

treasure1382

demeanc1460

mindc1460

retain1474

keep1574

to take (a thing) with one1577

carry1583

weara1586

1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iv. viii. 183 Longe talis & historyes whiche they can not alle reteyne in her mynde.

c1500 Melusine (1895) 38 (MED) Now vnderstand & reteyne wel my wordes.

1517 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1928) ii. 16 Yf you wyll do as I shall to you saye And all my lesson retayne in memory.

1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie i. iv. 5 Easier to beare away and be retained in memorie.

1666 Act 18 & 19 Chas. II c. 8 §26 That the said Citizens..may retaine the Memoriall of soe sadd a Desolation.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals ix, in tr. Virgil Wks. 43 The Tune I still retain, but not the Words.

1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. p. lxxviii With what Attention I listened to all their Discourses, the better to retain them in my Memory.

1782 J. Priestley Hist. Corruptions Christianity I. i. 113 It requires a pretty good memory to retain these distinctions.

1812 J. Wilson Isle of Palms i. 322 In waking thoughts she still retains The memory of these wildering pains.

1883 H. Wace Gospel & Witnesses iv. 85 The mind..unable to retain any but the simplest thought.

1902 Jrnls. House of Commons Canada 37 App. 26 I am speaking of the facts as 1 have retained them.

1970 D. Bowden tr. A. R. Luria Traumatic Aphasia v. 138 His spontaneous speech was frequently interrupted by word searching which resulted from the fact that he was unable to retain whole sentences.

2008 P. Meyer How Russians read the French iii. 94 These details struck Dostoevsky so forcibly that he retained them from his early reading.

b. intransitive. To have or use the faculty of memory; to be able to keep or hold things in the mind.In earlier use frequently of the memory itself.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > memory > have in one's mind, remember [verb (intransitive)]

monelOE

to have memory (of)a1275

recorda1382

remembera1393

mina1400

meana1425

to have‥in urec1450

to be remembereda1500

minda1500

retain1581

rememorate1606

reminisce1896

1581 R. Mulcaster Positions v. 28 That witte maie conceiue and learne well, memorie retaine and hold fast.

?1608 S. Lennard tr. P. Charron Of Wisdome iii. xix. 475 It is a painefull thing to vnderstand well, and vnderstanding to retaine well, and retaining to vse and practise well.

1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxvi. 147 Memory to retain, digest and apply.

a1771 T. Gray Ess. I in W. Mason Mem. Life & Writings (1775) 195 With sense to feel, with memory to retain.

1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 524 A well-constructed brain, Keen in pursuit, and vig'rous to retain .

1824 Relig. Misc. 11 July 388/2 They learn exceedingly fast, and retain well.

1891 E. Brooks Mental Sci. 161 To acquire and retain well, the body and mind should be in a healthy condition.

1910 E. B. Titchener Text-bk. Psychol. II. 405 The quick learner appears to retain as well as the slow.

1932 New Yorker 23 July 17/3 Even a boy who didn't retain very well could make a kite out of two or three sticks.

1995 R. S. Dunn & S. A. Griggs Multiculturalism & Learning Style i. 2 21 could not remember much of what they heard and 147 only could retain well by listening when they were interested in what they were learning.

†6. transitive. To receive (a person) as a guest; to entertain; to harbour. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > social event > hospitality > show hospitality to [verb (transitive)]

gestena1300

lodgec1325

cherishc1330

guestc1330

to give cheera1393

harbry14..

callc1430

uptakea1470

recueil1477

host1485

entertain1490

to set forth1526

harbour1534

retainc1540

treata1578

water1742

sport1826

have1868

hospitize1895

c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 10936 The grekes fayne of þat freike..Retaynit hym with Reuerence.

?1545 H. Rhodes Bk. Nurture sig. C.iv Retayne thou a straunger well, accordyng to his degre.

1585 Abp. E. Sandys Serm. xiv. 235 God is woont euer to blesse the countrie, for reteining and releeuing godlie religious strangers.

1664 G. Havers tr. T. Renaudot et al. Gen. Coll. Disc. Virtuosi France lxxxvii. 511 Which mov'd Lycurgus to forbid his Citizens to travel or retain strangers above 24 hours in their City, for fear the contagion of vice should come to corrupt the good manners of the Lacedemonians.

?1748 Rules & Orders rel. to Charterhouse 24 The Porter..shall acquaint the Master..if he shall suspect, upon good Reason, any of them to lie out of the Hospital, or to retain any Stranger therein.

†7. transitive. To keep free from something. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > safety > make safe or secure [verb (transitive)] > against or from something

secure1596

indemnify1611

indemnize1611

free1613

retain1661

ensure1692

guaranty1732

insure1825

1661 J. Fell Life Hammond iii. 226 When that oppression endanger'd a Lethargick or Apoplectick torpour, he was retain'd from that by the flux of blood.

1863 C. C. Clarke Shakespeare-characters viii. 197 He has retained the two women from the remotest charge of unfeminity.

Phrases

retain and transfer n. British Association Football (now historical) a system in which players at the end of their contracts are placed by clubs on either a list of those to be retained or a list of those to be transferred, their transfer being at the club's discretion; chiefly attributive.The system existed (with various modifications, notably in 1963 and 1978) from the late 19th cent. to 1995, when it was fully abolished under the Bosman ruling; see Bosman n.²

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > association football > [adjective] > relating to specific manner of employment

retain and transfer1938

1938 C. E. Sutcliffe et al. Story of Football League xiii. 120 A result which had completely vindicated the retain and transfer system and declared it to be legal.

1961 Times 15 Apr. 9/3 In January the Professional Footballers' Association received a letter from the League Secretary agreeing to the players' interpretation of the new terms, with particular reference to the vexed question of ‘retain and transfer’.

2000 A. Caiger & J. O'Leary in A.Caiger & S. Gardiner Professional Sport in EU 201 Despite the Eastham case [in 1963] the ‘retain and transfer’ rules—although improved and less oppressive—remained in place.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2010; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	retain
释义	† retainn. Forms: see retain v.; also late Middle English retayn. Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: retain v. Etymology: < retain v. Compare retention n., retinue n., retainment n., retaining n., and also retainer n.¹ Obsolete. 1. The action or fact of retaining or keeping hold of someone or something; retention. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > retaining > [noun] holding?c1225 keepingc1400 retainment1449 retainer1453 retain1455 retainingc1460 retainder1467 retinue1489 retentivea1500 retention1540 reservation1607 retainal1754 reserval1829 1455–6 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. July 1455 §47. m. 11 Of every hole disme..to be graunted, .xl. li...till þat the seid nowe abbot, and his said successours, be fully content and satisfied by waye of retayn of the seid summe of .xij.c li. 1607 T. Rogers Faith, Doctr., & Relig. Pref. sig. ¶¶¶4 ^v For the retaine of peace in the Church; and preuenting of newe doctrine, curious speculations, and offenses. 1621 H. Elsynge Notes Deb. House of Lords (1870) 99 Reteyn of Stranger. 2. A group of people retained in the service of a sovereign, etc.; = retinue n. 1a(a). rare. ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > service > servant > retainer or follower > [noun] > collective or retinue hirdc888 douthOE gingc1175 folkc1275 hirdfolcc1275 tail1297 meiniec1300 meiniec1300 routc1325 suitc1325 peoplec1330 leading1382 retinuea1387 repairc1390 retenancea1393 farneta1400 to-draughta1400 sembly14.. sequelc1420 manya1425 followingc1429 affinity?1435 family1438 train1489 estatec1500 port1545 retain1548 equipage1579 suite1579 attendancy1586 attendance1607 tendancea1616 sequacesa1660 cortège1679 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. lxxxi^v The kyng of England..and his retaine in sute like. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. lxxxii Thus the two kynges & their retaine toke the felde. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2010; most recently modified version published online December 2020). retainv. Brit. /rᵻˈteɪn/, U.S. /rəˈteɪn/, /riˈteɪn/ Forms: late Middle English resteyne (probably transmission error), late Middle English retenne, late Middle English reteygn, late Middle English reteygne, late Middle English reteyign, late Middle English (in a late copy)–1500s reteign, late Middle English–1500s reteigne, late Middle English–1600s retayne, late Middle English–1600s reteine, late Middle English–1600s retene, late Middle English–1600s reteyn, late Middle English–1600s reteyne, 1500s–1600s retaine, 1500s–1600s retayn, 1500s–1600s reteane, 1500s–1600s retein, 1500s– retain, 1600s retine; Scottish pre-1700 ratine, pre-1700 retaine, pre-1700 retean, pre-1700 reteane, pre-1700 reteene, pre-1700 retein, pre-1700 reteine, pre-1700 retene, pre-1700 retent (past participle), pre-1700 reteyne, pre-1700 retine, pre-1700 retyne, pre-1700 1700s– retain. N.E.D. (1908) also records forms late Middle English reteyene, late Middle English retine, pre-1700 retenne (Scottish). Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymons: French retenir, reteigner. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman retener, retenier, reteigner, reteiner, reteingner, restenir, retiner, Anglo-Norman and Middle French retenir to keep back for oneself, to take possession of, to guard, keep (for someone), to maintain at one's service, to employ, to keep near one, to detain, to make one's prisoner, to hinder, to restrain, to repress, to control, to prevent the action of, to remember, to maintain in good condition or good repair, (reflexive) to refrain from (all 11th or 12th cent. in Old French), to keep in one's body, to fail to eliminate from one's body (13th cent.), to engage, hire (c1317), to take note of (late 14th cent.), to restrain or contain (oneself) (1538), to keep, preserve (a name, trait, etc.) (1546), to maintain (a custom, tradition, etc.) (1588) < classical Latin retinēre to hold fast, prevent from escaping, to detain, to hold back, stop, to restrain, to keep hold of, to hold in place, to contain, to keep, to continue to use or observe, to continue to have, to recollect, in post-classical Latin also to keep attached to one's person or engaged in one's service (from 12th cent. in British sources), to engage or keep (as advocate or attorney) (from 14th cent. in British sources) < re- re- prefix + tenēre to hold (see tenant n.). Compare Catalan retenir (12th cent.), Spanish retener (12th cent.), Portuguese reter (13th cent.), Italian ritenere , †retenere (13th cent.). Compare retentive adj.¹, retention n.With the form variation compare discussion at maintain v., and compare also contain v., detain v., pertain v., sustain v. With sense 1e compare earlier retained adj. 1a. With the Older Scots past participle form retent perhaps compare retent adj.¹ 1. a. transitive. To restrain; to hold back, check, or stop; to prevent or hinder. Frequently with from. ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)] pindeOE steerc950 hold971 forbidc1000 withstewc1175 withholdc1200 stewa1225 crempa1250 bistintc1300 i-stillc1315 withdraw1340 entemperc1380 rebukec1380 forfenda1382 refraina1382 refrainc1390 restraina1393 restayc1400 retainc1415 to hold abackc1440 overholda1450 reclaim?c1450 revokec1450 bedwynge1480 sniba1500 repressa1525 rein1531 inhibit1535 to keep back1535 cohibit1544 reprimec1550 lithe1552 to rein up1574 check1581 embridle1583 to rein in1593 retrench1594 refrenate1599 to hold back1600 snip1601 becheck1605 sneap1611 trasha1616 supersede1645 reprimand1689 snape1691 to clap a guy on1814 to pull up1861 to pull in1893 withstrain1904 the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (transitive)] > from an action, purpose, etc. warnc888 withseta1330 defendc1330 conclude1382 privea1387 retainc1415 refrain1442 prohibit1483 repel1483 stop1488 sever?1507 discourage1528 seclude?1531 prevent1533 foreclose1536 lock1560 stay1560 disallow1568 intercept1576 to put bya1586 crossa1616 stave1616 prevent1620 secure1623 stave1630 riot1777 tent1781 footer1813 to stop off1891 mozz1941 c1415 (c1390) G. Chaucer Melibeus (Lansd.) (1872) §2682 Þere bue mony þinges þat schold reteyne ȝowe of vengeance takeinge. 1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 10 Whan..Hercules and..Iason had retayned these Centaures, they had eche of them a bowe whiche they bende. 1481 W. Caxton tr. Siege & Conqueste Jerusalem (1893) xlviii. 88 They armed them and reteyned theyr peple that began to flee. 1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. ci^v He is bound that he should neuer retayne the Swyches from the Emperor. 1595 W. Allen et al. Conf. Next Succession Crowne of Ingland ii. ii. 10 It is hard to retayne a mans consent from that which is said vntil he haue read the reasons of the other party. 1639 S. Du Verger tr. J.-P. Camus Admirable Events 279 Barsimee retained by a certaine shamefastnesse..would by no meanes yeeld to marry. 1695 W. Temple Introd. Hist. Eng. (1699) 287 He..had killed him if his Brother Robert had not retained him. 1737 Gentleman's Mag. Jan. 35/1 The untouchable foot retain'd the grave Spaniards from intermedling in so delicate an Affair. 1791 in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 81 87 The quantity of emitted particles may well become adequate to the constitution of a shining fluid,..provided a cause can be found that may retain them from flying off. 1803 J. Pickersgill Three Brothers IV. xi. 326 What at first retained him from profiting by it, was the painful consideration, [etc.]. 1896 tr. K. Dilgskron Life Blessed Gerard Majella xx. 329 The servant of God interceded for him and retained them from giving expression to their outraged feelings, at least until the man was able to escape. 1922 Burlington Mag. June 260/2 Renoir was a great intellect, in nothing greater than in this, that his august critical faculty retained him from all digression. 2003 C. Lonien Japanese Econ. & Social Syst. iii. 60 A young employee..is penalized by a lower wage and this may not only frustrate him, but also retain him from producing [etc.]. b. transitive (reflexive). To restrain oneself; to contain oneself, exercise self-control. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > restrained or moderate behaviour > exercise moderation or restraint [verb (reflexive)] hold971 withholdc1200 containc1290 keep1340 restraina1387 refrainc1450 retaina1500 attemper1548 retract1548 temper1560 reserve1586 check1833 a1500 (a1450) Generides (Trin. Cambr.) 1543 (MED) For your wurchippe yow most your self reteyne, And take a good avise in this mater. 1607 E. Grimeston tr. S. Goulart Admirable & Memorable Hist. 31 He retayned himselfe vntill that Supper was ended, then seeing them to enter the Chamber..Hee..first kills the Adulterer, and then his wife. 1629 J. Reynolds tr. L. de Marandé Iudgm. Humane Actions iv. i. 118 Shee [sc. the soul] can no longer retaine her selfe, and..forgetting her selfe, she suffer her selfe to be led and caried away by the violent streame of her passions. 1703 tr. P. Segneri Penitent Instructed iv. 32 That they are so accustomed that they can't possibly retain themselves. 1834 W. J. Thoms Lays & Legends Germany xliv. 246 Little Margery kept weeping and could not retain herself. 1869 Daily News 30 Oct. Lord Stanley, who retained himself during the greater part of the service, was completely overcome. 1912 R. Brown When Dreams come True xxv. 241 He was beside himself. He talked and laughed aloud repeatedly when alone, scarcely able to retain himself. 1999 N. Mones Lost in Transl. i. 20 He noted that the foreign woman retained herself implacably. At least she had control. c. transitive. Originally: to keep in custody or under control; to prevent from leaving. Later usually of an object: to hold (something) fixed in a place or position; to prevent from becoming separated or detached. ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)] > from going on or away stayc1440 retainc1515 to keep ungone1572 keepa1627 bail1879 c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxix. 237 My brother and his wyf..I haue retayned them in my pryson. 1577 H. Rhodes Bk. Nurture (new ed.) sig. D.viii For empty fystes, men vse to say, cannot the Hawke retayne. 1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 51 On this and the East sides, are two Mils to retaine the water when the Sea ebs. 1674 D. Brevint Saul & Samuel 223 May not one as well curse, whom God blesses, as retain or bind whom God remits? 1720 J. Ozell et al. tr. R. A. de Vertot Hist. Revol. Rom. Republic II. xii. 242 Cicero..sends immediately certain Senators, to retain the People in their Duty. 1809 A. Henry Trav. & Adventures Canada 123 The skin, which alone retained his hand to his arm, he cut through. 1858 S. G. Wilmot On Stricture of Urethra vi. 129 In such strictures absorption takes place with remarkable rapidity, by retaining catheters permanently in the bladder. 1873 G. Fleming Pract. Horse-shoeing (ed. 2) 100 The extra strain on the nails retaining it [sc. the bar shoe] to the hoof. 1924 E. Best Maori as he Was vi. 196 No form of hat was worn, the tipare being but a chaplet or band to retain plumes. 1945 C. E. Balleisen Princ. Firearms viii. 82 The successful design of a cartridge belt requires that the cartridges in it be properly located and retained in that position. 1967 T. Lewis & L. R. Taylor Introd. Exper. Ecol. v. 253 The air escapes through a metal gauze cone, but the animals are retained and fall into a collecting jar. 2002 Dental Pract. 1 Apr. 14/4 A selection of the more traditional prostheses retained by adhesive or aids such as spectacles. †d. intransitive. To refrain from something. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] holdc897 forgoa1000 oversitOE forbearc1200 letc1330 to let bec1385 to lay apart1526 refrain1528 to let pass1530 retainc1540 abstain1578 restrain1594 stay1599 nurture1627 withhold1650 waive1653 inhold1655 withstand1852 skip1961 c1540 J. Bellenden tr. H. Boece Hyst. & Cron. Scotl. iii. xii. f. 34/2 Vespasian..had sic compassion y^t he micht not retene fra teris. 1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge v. i. sig. I2^v They can scarce retaine from bursting foorth In plaine reuolt. e. transitive. Medicine. To keep (a substance or tissue, esp. urine) in the body; to fail to eliminate (a substance) from the body or an organ. Occasionally also intransitive. ΚΠ 1569 R. Androse tr. ‘Alessio’ 4th Bk. Secretes sig. a4 Remedie the griefes and bloude retayned in the Matrix. 1634 J. Levett Ordering of Bees 59 They haue no Intraylls or other inward Organs, by which either to retaine or evacuat. 1657 B. W. tr. B. Bauderon Expert Phisician 24 Melancholly juyce retained in a part doth not so easily putrefie as other Humours. 1707 tr. de la Vauguion Compl. Body Chirurg. Operations (ed. 2) xviii. 96 When the String is broke and the Placenta is retained, you must Speedily introduce your Hand..and..bring it away. 1797 W. Buchan Domest. Med. (ed. 15) ii. 125 Others have brought on very tedious..disorders by retaining theur urine too long. 1845 E. W. Murphy Lect. Nat. & Difficult Parturition vi. 111 By pulling too much at the funis, the placenta may be retained. 1893 I. B. Yeo Man. Med. Treatm. iv. v. 89 It is an appropriate beverage in febrile cases, as it quenches thirst, and can often be retained in the stomach when all other food is rejected. 1949 H. W. C. Vines Green's Man. Pathol. (ed. 17) vii. 129 Their toxins may in some cases be retained within the organisms themselves (endotoxins), and are only liberated on their death and disintegration. 1958 Nursing (St. John Ambulance Assoc.) xv. 199 Per rectum, in the form of an enema to be retained. 1987 Theriogenology 28 755 Cows which retain the placenta may have abnormally high progesterone and low estradiol-178 and prolactin concentrations in plasma prior to parturition. 2008 Neurocomputing 71 744/1 At this point, in order to retain urine, the detrusor pressure and the disabling micturition neuronal signals increase. f. transitive. Of a body, object, material, etc.: to hold or keep something (as liquid, magnetism, etc.) within itself; to contain. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > incorporation or inclusion > incorporate or include [verb (transitive)] beclipc1230 beshut1340 contain1340 comprehendc1374 continue1377 begripe1393 close1393 incorpor1398 conceive?c1400 includec1475 engrossa1500 complect1523 conclude?1523 employ1528 to take in1534 retain1577 surmise1578 imprehend1590 immerse1605 comprise1651 involve1651 complexa1657 embrace1697 incorporate1824 embody1847 cover1868 1577 Hill's Gardeners Labyrinth ii. iii. 5 For the Cleyie ground of it selfe, ouerfast holdeth: but the sandie and rough, in a contrarie maner: so that neyther is wonte to nourish plantes, nor retayne water. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica 68 The subsiding powder dryed, retaines some magneticall vertue. View more context for this quotation 1702 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 23 1207 All their Fields..are made into such Plots as may retain the Water on them when they please. 1773 R. Whitworth Rep. & Surv. Canal Waltham-Abbey to Moorfields 12 I cannot forbear mentioning Mr. Brindley's valuable Discovery of making almost any Soil whatever, resist and retain Water as well as Clay. 1861 Amer. Agriculturist Jan. 14/3 To keep our bodies warm, we must either put on warmer non-conducting clothing, to retain the heat of the system, or we must consume and digest more food (fuel). 1876 R. Routledge Discov. & Inventions 19th Cent. 394 The electro-magnets are excited by a portion of the currents they themselves produce, they retaining sufficient residual magnetism to develop the currents. 1971 Jrnl. Atmospheric & Terrestr. Physics 33 581 Bodies that become electrically charged may retain their charge for a very long period and static electric shocks are a commonplace experience. 2009 New Scientist 27 June 11/2 Treating the older skin with niacinamide, which helps skin retain moisture, damped down expression of genes related to inflammation. 2. a. transitive. To keep in one's own hands or under one's own control; to keep back; to keep hold or possession of; to continue to have. Cf. keep v. 29a. Also intransitive. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (intransitive)] retainc1425 c1425 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 54 (MED) Sum penyes..he reteynyd..that these with othir of his owne by ofte eschangynge he wolde had multiplied. 1438 in A. T. Bannister Reg. Thome Spofford (1919) 224 (MED) In youre said covent sustren reteynen money and proveis thame selfe privatly ayens the ordir of religion. a1475 in A. Clark Eng. Reg. Godstow Nunnery (1905) i. 200 (MED) They may..distreyne & reteyne þe distresses tyll þat they be satisfied fully of þe rent. 1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. N3^v [He] will yet..notwithstanding reteane the same charge, and function to himselfe still. 1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. x. sig. I7^v Taking downe the shield, with me [I] did it retaine . View more context for this quotation c1613 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 102 To deliver one parte to Mr. Blount, & retine another parte for you with the obligation. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 532 His Power no less he seem'd Above the rest still to retain . View more context for this quotation 1692 Earl of Galloway's Family Papers 28 Apr. in Dict. Older. Sc. Tongue at Retention For ane quarters retention deduced & reteined by his lordship as the annuelrent..of 3000 merks..granted..to..Patrick Don. 1713 I. Newton Let. ?Dec. (1976) VI. 51 We are humbly of opinion..that the Master & Worker..have power to retain the Coinage whenever upon the Assay it proves not good. 1766 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. II. xxxii. 511 The executor..is allowed to pay himself first; by retaining in his hands so much as his debt amounts to. 1810 T. Williamson E. India Vade-mecum I. 209 The sircar, or tusseel-dar, (cash keeper,) receiving one key, and the master retaining the other. 1847 L. H. Kerr tr. L. von Ranke Hist. Servia 288 Some men are more competent to acquire than to retain. 1883 J. A. Froude Short Stud. 4th Ser. i. iii. 27 He still aimed at retaining the most lucrative of his benefices. 1939 Econ. Jrnl. 49 543 It is usually assumed..that good-will is maximised by cutting prices and retaining customers. 1943 Jrnl. Farm Econ. 25 304 Steps should be taken to retain present key-workers and to replace those where production is threatened. 1967 Economist 17 June 1248/4 There is strong feeling against companies..which retain control of an empire with the minimum of capital through ‘pyramiding’. 2006 Place in Sun May 212/2 If the buyer withdraws, the vendor will retain the deposit. b. transitive. To continue to have or possess (an attribute, quality, etc.). ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > retain a quality or characteristic keepc1315 reservec1425 retain?a1475 ?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1869) II. 51 (MED) The water of Thamyse..floethe by Oxforde, London, vn to the haven of Sandewiche, goenge þer in to the este see, reteynenge [a1387 J. Trevisa tr. holdeþ; L. retinet] the name of hit paste London by xlti myles. a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 55 (MED) Oo þynge is souerainly necessary to him..That, all þinges forsaken, he forsake himself..& reteigne no þinge of propre loue. 1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias 1 b He gaue to the Ports..theyr names, which at this present they doe retaine. 1637 J. Milton Comus 29 Still she retaines Her maiden gentlenesse. 1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 10 A kind of Stone that long retains its whiteness. 1702 J. Floyer Cold Baths i. ii. 30 That Aversion most People retain against Cold Bathing, as if it would overchil them. 1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters i. Pref. Shall we borrow and retain the faults, the corruptions of the French? 1841 I. D'Israeli Amenities Lit. I. 101 The hills, the forests, and the rivers retain their old Celtic names. 1871 B. Stewart Heat (ed. 2) §12 They always retain unchanged their state with respect to heat. 1916 G. Saintsbury Peace of Augustans i. 19 Mr. Green..did think the literary articles obsolete, while to others they retain quite a lively interest. 1947 Gourmet Nov. 4/3 The croutons were sauteed in garlic oil, drained, and tossed in at the last minute, to retain their crispness. 1992 L. Gordon Shared Lives ii. 9 Clara always retained her diffidence, backing away from the affection she aroused. c. transitive. To continue to use, practise, or recognize. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > continuing > continue (an action) [verb (transitive)] > continue a use or practice keepc1315 entertain?c1452 retain1481 to summer and winter1602 sustain1602 1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde i. v. sig. b4 ^v Yf the men in thise dayes vnderstode wel this worde, they wolde reteyne more gladly the doctrynes that procede and come fro the mouth of our creatour and maker. 1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Ceremonies f. xxxv^v Some [ceremonies] be retayned and kept still. 1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat.* i. 25^v The people are not only become warriers, but haue retained the customes and rytes of warre. 1605 M. Drayton Poems sig. Hh8 Which when they found how still I did retaine, Th'ambitious course wherein I first beganne. c1613 S. Rowlands More Knaues Yet? 5 I thinke before the Conquest many yeares, We wore the fashion which we still retaine. 1654 J. Bramhall Just Vindic. Church of Eng. ii. 7 Both retein Communion with the Universal Church. 1737 Gentleman's Mag. Mar. 142/1 We have good Reason to exclude the 330 Kings..and retain only those who have left standing Monuments. 1771 T. Pennant Tour Scotl. 1769 214 Antient sports of the Highlanders..retained are, throwing the putting-stone, [etc.]. 1855 E. B. Pusey Real Presence (1857) ii. 174 The Eastern Liturgies still for the most part retain the form of asserting the Real Presence. 1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues III. 320 It seemed better..to retain the order in which Plato himself has arranged this and the two companion dialogues. 1903 P. G. Konody tr. ‘C. Mauclair’ Fr. Impressionists ix. 196 That young generation of ‘Intimists’ who seem to have retained the best principles of the Impressionist masters. 1946 Nature 23 Mar. 369/1 We have deemed it desirable to retain the word ‘myosin’ and to add a prefix which suggests this specific relationship. 1999 Times Educ. Suppl. 7 May (Appointments Suppl.) 30/1 (advt.) Single-sex teaching is retained up to the age of 16 with co-education in the Post-16 phase. d. transitive. To pronounce (a sin) unforgiven. Cf. remit v. 3a. [Translating or with reference to John 20:23, post-classical Latin quorum retinueritis, retenta sunt, Hellenistic Greek ἄν τινων κρατῆτε, κεκράτηνται] . ΘΚΠ society > faith > worship > sacrament > confession > absolution > give absolution [verb (transitive)] > keep or retain sins retain1483 1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende f. xxvij/2 And of whom ye reteyne the synnes, they shal be reteyned. 1526 Bible (Tyndale) John xx. f. clj^v Whosoevers synnes ye remyt, they are remitted vnto them: And whosoevers synnes ye retayne, they are retayned. 1567 Compend. Bk. Godly Songs (1897) 7 Quhais Sinnis ȝe retene, ar retenit vnto thame. 1609 Bp. J. Hall Medit. & Vowes (new ed.) I. §98 I will so remit wrongs..and so reteine them, as I may not induce God to retaine mine to him. 1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xlii. 277 Refuse entrance into his Kingdom, to those whose Sins were Retained. 1674 D. Brevint Saul & Samuel 222 Where the power of Loosing and Remitting, follows close to that of Retaining and Binding. 1711 R. Laurence Sacerdotal Powers v. 123 A Laick's pretending to Bind and Loose, to Absolve and Retain Sins. 1784 E. Allen Reason xiii. §4. 455 That St. Peter or his successors should have a power of..remitting or retaining sins, is too great a power to be intrusted in men,..precluding the divine retribution of justice. 1827 J. Thomson Lett. Moral & Relig. State S. Amer. 132 The prince of the apostles, to whom Jesus Christ had granted the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and power to remit or to retain the sins of men. 1885 R. T. McMullen Priestly Pretensions 12 Several professing ‘priests’, conspicuous..for arrogating to themselves the power to remit or retain the sins of others. 1921 Jrnl. Relig. 1 438 The whole penance system sprang out of ‘a commission formally and authoritatively given by our Lord’ by which the Apostles were authorized to remit or to retain sins. 2000 L. McTaggart Being Catholic Today xi. 93 It is to be his presence in the world, the sign and reality of God's saving love, forgiving and retaining sins. †e. intransitive. To continue, remain. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > lasting quality, permanence > be permanent [verb (intransitive)] > remain, continue bidec893 ofstandeOE astandc1000 restOE holdc1175 dure1297 akeepc1300 lastc1300 arrest1393 containc1400 perseverec1425 reserve1529 to run on1533 to stick by ——1533 persist1538 persist1539 to hold up1582 retaina1631 persist1659 a1631 J. Donne To C'tess Huntingdon in Poems (1633) 109 No more can impure man retain and move In that pure region of a worthy love. f. transitive. To allow (something) to remain in place, instead of discarding or removing it; to preserve. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > preservation from injury or destruction > preserve from injury or destruction [verb (transitive)] > abstain from injuring, destroying, or removing sparec897 reserve1634 retain1683 1683 tr. H. de Valois in tr. Eusebius et al. Hist. Church 660 (margin) Whereas that conjunction does disturb the sense,..I am of opinion, that 'tis to be removed. Yet the Fuketian Copy retains it. 1758 T. Newton Diss. Prophecies III. xi. 155 So many crosses, serving to superstition, ought rather to be removed than retained. 1764 Monthly Rev. Apr. 333 Whether we ought to retain or remove the Accents from our future impressions of Greek books. 1802 W. Scott Let. 10 May (1937) XII. 218 Many of the old words are retaind which neither the reciter nor copier understood. 1835 E. Bulwer-Lytton Rienzi I. ii. i. 177 But still to this day are retained the massive walls. 1874 T. Hardy Far from Madding Crowd II. ix. 100 People..still insisted upon calling him ‘Sergeant’ when they met him, which was in some degree owing to his having still retained the well-shaped moustache of his military days. 1938 Amer. Home Jan. 58/4 The porch and the entrance were retained and improved. 1952 Electronic Engin. 24 30/1 In almost every design, a modest number of electronic triggers is retained. 2008 Indianapolis Star 13 Jan. (Early ed.) (Indy Sunday section) 9/2 Lossy compression: A way to reduce the size of digital files that discards data but retains essential information. 3. a. transitive. To engage, hire, esp. on a temporary basis; to secure the services of (a person).In later use perhaps an extended use of sense 3b. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > working > labour supply > [verb (transitive)] > hire or employ hirec1000 i-bye10.. i-hirec1000 soldc1386 takea1400 retain1437 wage1465 conduct1476 fee1488 conduce1502 implya1533 entertain1572 enter1585 wager1592 to fill up1598 to take on1611 improve1640 to speak for ——a1688 employa1727 engage1753 ploy1871 to turn on1893 to book up1915 1437 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1835) V. 39 (MED) He wold require þe sherrief to reteine a panel & to sitte for þe pees. 1476 in L. T. Smith York Plays (1885) p. xxxvii (MED) Þat no plaier..be conducte and reteyned to plaie but twise on þe day of þe saide playe. a1525 ( Coventry Leet Bk. (1907) I. 59 Thei haue retained Mathew Ellerton..& John Trumpere, Mynstrells as for the Cite of Couentre. 1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 161 Having retained Mules for myself and Company, I made Provisions of Bread, Wine [etc.]. 1846 Rep. Sel. Comm. Bridport Election Petition (Minutes of Evidence) 110 If the voter retained an agent, is not that professional person included in the costs? 1938 Research—National Resource (Rep. of National Sci. Comm. to National Resources Comm.) III. 44/1 Specialists retained as consultants or employed to direct a specific project. 1991 20th Cent. Brit. Hist. 2 146 Testimony from scientific ‘experts’, some of whom are retained by corporations to cast doubts on the..claims of environmentalists. b. transitive. To engage (a lawyer, esp. a barrister) by the payment of a preliminary fee, in order to secure his or her services if required. ΘΚΠ society > law > legal profession > lawyer's client > engage a lawyer [verb (transitive)] > engage a barrister retain1541 1541 T. Elyot Image of Gouernance v. f.10 He reteined aduocates in pore mens causes. 1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Cliens..is also he whiche hath retayned a lawyer to susteyne his matter. 1602 2nd Pt. Returne fr. Parnassus iv. ii Let me retaine you this terme for my cause. 1644 J. Bulwer Chirologia 52 In those large pewes, where those that were retained in causes did plead. 1745 J. Wesley Farther Appeal ii. 38 You must therefore file a Bill in Chancery, and retain a Lawyer belonging to that Court. 1775 J. Rayner Readings on Statutes 116 If the Matter was communicated to the Attorney or Solicitor, as a Secret, before he was employed or retained in the Cause. 1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxx. 325 ‘Mr. Pickwick is the defendant in Bardell and Pickwick, Serjeant Snubbin,’ said Perker. ‘I am retained in that, am I?’ said the Serjeant. 1892 Pall Mall Gaz. 4 July 2/2 The erroneous impression that the retaining of a barrister consists mainly in the retention of the fee by the barrister retained. 1901 W. B. Odgers in Cent. Law Reform vii. 234 The proceedings are of so simple a character that it is seldom necessary to retain a barrister, and the services of a solicitor can often be dispensed with. 1967 J. Barth Floating Opera (rev. ed.) x. 89 The nurses and the minister retained separate attorneys. 2000 A. Perry Twisted Root ix. 229 He informed them that he was the barrister retained by Cleo Anderson's solicitor. 4. a. transitive. Originally: to maintain as a follower or dependent; cf. retainder n. 2b. Later also more generally: to keep engaged in one's service; to employ. Now chiefly historical. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] holda855 haveeOE witec1000 at-holdc1175 withholdc1200 keepc1400 reserve?a1439 retain1449 detain1541 to stick to ——1560 contain1600 to make good1606 preserve1617 inhold1726 to hang on to1873 the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (intransitive)] > attached to one's person or service retain1449 the mind > possession > retaining > retain or keep [verb (transitive)] > attached to one's person or service at-holdc1200 withholdc1300 retain1449 reservea1529 1449–50 Rolls of Parl.: Henry VI (Electronic ed.) Parl. Nov. 1449 §23. m. 5 The said duke..beyng reteigned with you, in your wages of werre..hath often..opened to hym [sc. the king of France]..the privite..of your seid counseill. 1489 W. Caxton tr. C. de Pisan Bk. Fayttes of Armes iii. viii. 182 I suppose that a capytayne with a companye of folke be reteyned in to the kynges wages. 1536 T. Cromwell in R. B. Merriman Life & Lett. T. Cromwell (1902) II. 38 The kinges pleasour is ye shal there reteyne onely foure clerkes. 1540 T. Cromwell in R. B. Merriman Life & Lett. T. Cromwell (1902) II. 267 Syr ther was also layde vnto my Charge at myne examenacyon that I hadde retaynyd contrarye to your lawse. ?1542 H. Brinkelow Complaynt Roderyck Mors xix. sig. E5^v Many noble men..retayne seruantys, & neuer gyue them peny wagys. 1623 T. Powell Attourneys Acad. 123 If this bee done with a single Vowcher, you are to retaine three Sergeants. 1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 376 The Suffee retains several [physicians] in Ordinary and others in Extraordinary. 1761 D. Hume Hist. Eng. to Henry VII I. viii. 168 A great number of knights were retained in his service. 1784 H. Knox Let. 3 Jan. in G. Washington Papers (1992) Confederation Ser. I. 6 The duties of the secretary at War, Master of ordnance and the..command of any troops which might be retained in service. 1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India I. ii. vii. 315 The magistrate..shall retain in his service..jesters, and dancers, and athletics. 1882 C. Pebody Eng. Journalism xix. 145 Mr. Levy..retained as contributors and critics men who were at least equal to those upon the staff of either of its contemporaries. 1912 M. L. Lyman et al. in L. L. Dock Hist. Nursing IV. iv. 141 The hospital retains a large staff of permanent head-nurses. 1962 G. Holmes Later Middle Ages, 1272–1485 ii. 29 Earl Thomas of Lancaster in the reign of Edward II..had a large number of men..retained for lifelong service in peace and war in return for grants of land or annual rents. 2000 R. Hoffman Princes of Ireland iii. 119 The cost of retaining clerks to assist him in keeping tenants' accounts certainly reduced his intake. †b. intransitive. With to or unto. To be a retainer to a person; to be a dependant or adherent of. Also in extended use. Obsolete.In quot. 1710 in figurative context. ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > service > servant > retainer or follower > be a retainer or follower [verb (intransitive)] suec1390 pursue1485 retain1547 train1633 1547 in Bull. Inst. Hist. Res. (1928) 5 189 To whom they sayde they dyde retayne. 1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Acts 48 b He was reteynyng to Sergius Paulus, whiche was proconsull. 1548 T. Cooper Bibliotheca Eliotæ (rev. ed.) Cliens, is he that belongeth or reteyneth to som man in authoritee, to haue his defence and assistence in honest causes. a1591 H. Smith Serm. (1637) 156 As many retaine unto Noblemen, not to doe them any service, but to have their countenance. 1612 M. Drayton Poly-olbion viii. 121 Those other Rils to Seuerne which retaine, And 'tended not on Teame. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica 42 Not only the Sadduces and such as retaine unto the Church of God. View more context for this quotation 1681 H. Neville Plato Redivivus 135 Most of the Members..thought it an honour to retain to some great Lord, and to wear his blew Coat. 1710 Ld. Shaftesbury Soliloquy 320 Idea! wait a while till I have examin'd thee, whence thou art, and to whom thou retain'st. Art thou of ambition's train? 5. a. transitive. To keep or hold in one's mind; to remember. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > memory > retention in the mind > retain in the memory [verb (transitive)] i-mune971 to have (also bear, keep, hold, etc.) in minda1200 withholdc1200 membera1382 treasure1382 demeanc1460 mindc1460 retain1474 keep1574 to take (a thing) with one1577 carry1583 weara1586 1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iv. viii. 183 Longe talis & historyes whiche they can not alle reteyne in her mynde. c1500 Melusine (1895) 38 (MED) Now vnderstand & reteyne wel my wordes. 1517 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1928) ii. 16 Yf you wyll do as I shall to you saye And all my lesson retayne in memory. 1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie i. iv. 5 Easier to beare away and be retained in memorie. 1666 Act 18 & 19 Chas. II c. 8 §26 That the said Citizens..may retaine the Memoriall of soe sadd a Desolation. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals ix, in tr. Virgil Wks. 43 The Tune I still retain, but not the Words. 1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. p. lxxviii With what Attention I listened to all their Discourses, the better to retain them in my Memory. 1782 J. Priestley Hist. Corruptions Christianity I. i. 113 It requires a pretty good memory to retain these distinctions. 1812 J. Wilson Isle of Palms i. 322 In waking thoughts she still retains The memory of these wildering pains. 1883 H. Wace Gospel & Witnesses iv. 85 The mind..unable to retain any but the simplest thought. 1902 Jrnls. House of Commons Canada 37 App. 26 I am speaking of the facts as 1 have retained them. 1970 D. Bowden tr. A. R. Luria Traumatic Aphasia v. 138 His spontaneous speech was frequently interrupted by word searching which resulted from the fact that he was unable to retain whole sentences. 2008 P. Meyer How Russians read the French iii. 94 These details struck Dostoevsky so forcibly that he retained them from his early reading. b. intransitive. To have or use the faculty of memory; to be able to keep or hold things in the mind.In earlier use frequently of the memory itself. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > memory > have in one's mind, remember [verb (intransitive)] monelOE to have memory (of)a1275 recorda1382 remembera1393 mina1400 meana1425 to have‥in urec1450 to be remembereda1500 minda1500 retain1581 rememorate1606 reminisce1896 1581 R. Mulcaster Positions v. 28 That witte maie conceiue and learne well, memorie retaine and hold fast. ?1608 S. Lennard tr. P. Charron Of Wisdome iii. xix. 475 It is a painefull thing to vnderstand well, and vnderstanding to retaine well, and retaining to vse and practise well. 1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxvi. 147 Memory to retain, digest and apply. a1771 T. Gray Ess. I in W. Mason Mem. Life & Writings (1775) 195 With sense to feel, with memory to retain. 1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 524 A well-constructed brain, Keen in pursuit, and vig'rous to retain . View more context for this quotation 1824 Relig. Misc. 11 July 388/2 They learn exceedingly fast, and retain well. 1891 E. Brooks Mental Sci. 161 To acquire and retain well, the body and mind should be in a healthy condition. 1910 E. B. Titchener Text-bk. Psychol. II. 405 The quick learner appears to retain as well as the slow. 1932 New Yorker 23 July 17/3 Even a boy who didn't retain very well could make a kite out of two or three sticks. 1995 R. S. Dunn & S. A. Griggs Multiculturalism & Learning Style i. 2 21 could not remember much of what they heard and 147 only could retain well by listening when they were interested in what they were learning. †6. transitive. To receive (a person) as a guest; to entertain; to harbour. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > social event > hospitality > show hospitality to [verb (transitive)] gestena1300 lodgec1325 cherishc1330 guestc1330 to give cheera1393 harbry14.. callc1430 uptakea1470 recueil1477 host1485 entertain1490 to set forth1526 harbour1534 retainc1540 treata1578 water1742 sport1826 have1868 hospitize1895 c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 10936 The grekes fayne of þat freike..Retaynit hym with Reuerence. ?1545 H. Rhodes Bk. Nurture sig. C.iv Retayne thou a straunger well, accordyng to his degre. 1585 Abp. E. Sandys Serm. xiv. 235 God is woont euer to blesse the countrie, for reteining and releeuing godlie religious strangers. 1664 G. Havers tr. T. Renaudot et al. Gen. Coll. Disc. Virtuosi France lxxxvii. 511 Which mov'd Lycurgus to forbid his Citizens to travel or retain strangers above 24 hours in their City, for fear the contagion of vice should come to corrupt the good manners of the Lacedemonians. ?1748 Rules & Orders rel. to Charterhouse 24 The Porter..shall acquaint the Master..if he shall suspect, upon good Reason, any of them to lie out of the Hospital, or to retain any Stranger therein. †7. transitive. To keep free from something. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > safety > make safe or secure [verb (transitive)] > against or from something secure1596 indemnify1611 indemnize1611 free1613 retain1661 ensure1692 guaranty1732 insure1825 1661 J. Fell Life Hammond iii. 226 When that oppression endanger'd a Lethargick or Apoplectick torpour, he was retain'd from that by the flux of blood. 1863 C. C. Clarke Shakespeare-characters viii. 197 He has retained the two women from the remotest charge of unfeminity. Phrases retain and transfer n. British Association Football (now historical) a system in which players at the end of their contracts are placed by clubs on either a list of those to be retained or a list of those to be transferred, their transfer being at the club's discretion; chiefly attributive.The system existed (with various modifications, notably in 1963 and 1978) from the late 19th cent. to 1995, when it was fully abolished under the Bosman ruling; see Bosman n.² ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > association football > [adjective] > relating to specific manner of employment retain and transfer1938 1938 C. E. Sutcliffe et al. Story of Football League xiii. 120 A result which had completely vindicated the retain and transfer system and declared it to be legal. 1961 Times 15 Apr. 9/3 In January the Professional Footballers' Association received a letter from the League Secretary agreeing to the players' interpretation of the new terms, with particular reference to the vexed question of ‘retain and transfer’. 2000 A. Caiger & J. O'Leary in A.Caiger & S. Gardiner Professional Sport in EU 201 Despite the Eastham case [in 1963] the ‘retain and transfer’ rules—although improved and less oppressive—remained in place. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2010; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < n.1455v.c1415
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† retainn.

retainv.

Phrases