| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024re•tain /rɪˈteɪn/USA pronunciation v. [~ + object]- to keep possession of:He retained his balance.
- to continue to hold or have:clothing that retains its color.
- to keep in mind;
remember:He was good at retaining what he needed for a test. - to hire, esp. by payment of a preliminary fee:to retain a lawyer.
See -tain-. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024re•tain (ri tān′),USA pronunciation v.t. - to keep possession of.
- to continue to use, practice, etc.:to retain an old custom.
- to continue to hold or have:to retain a prisoner in custody; a cloth that retains its color.
- to keep in mind;
remember. - to hold in place or position.
- to engage, esp. by payment of a preliminary fee:to retain a lawyer.
- Latin retinēre to hold back, hold fast, equivalent. to re- re- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre to hold
- Old French retenir
- Middle English reteinen 1350–1400
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged hold, preserve. See keep.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged loose, lose.
- 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged forget.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: retain /rɪˈteɪn/ vb (transitive)- to keep in one's possession
- to be able to hold or contain: soil that retains water
- (of a person) to be able to remember (information, facts, etc) without difficulty
- to hold in position
- to keep for one's future use, as by paying a retainer or nominal charge
- to engage the services of (a barrister) by payment of a preliminary fee
Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French retenir, from Latin retinēre to hold back, from re- + tenēre to holdreˈtainable adj reˈtainment n |