[rɪˈteɪn], (Verb)

Definitions:
- continue to have (something); keep possession of
(e.g: built in 1830, the house retains many of its original features)

- absorb and continue to hold (a substance)
(e.g: limestone is known to retain water)

- keep (something) in place; hold fixed
(e.g: the successful design of a cartridge belt requires that the cartridges in it be properly located and retained in that position)

- keep (someone) engaged in one's service
(e.g: he has been retained as a freelance)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English: via Anglo-Norman French from Old French retenir, from Latin retinere, from re- ‘back’ + tenere ‘hold’