Retaining

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Retain \Re*tain"\ (r[-e]*t[=a]n"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
     {Retained} (r[-e]*t[=a]nd"); 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 restrain from departure, escape,
        or the like. "Thy shape invisible retain." --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Be obedient, and retain
              Unalterably firm his love entire.     --Milton.
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              An executor may retain a debt due to him from the
              testator.                             --Blackstone.
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     2. To keep in pay; to employ by a preliminary fee paid; to
        hire; to engage; as, to retain a counselor.
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              A Benedictine convent has now retained the most
              learned father of their order to write in its
              defense.                              --Addison.
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     3. To restrain; to prevent. [Obs.] --Sir W. Temple.
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     {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}.
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     Syn: To keep; hold; restrain. See {Keep}.
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From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  retaining
       adj : designed for (usually temporary) retention; "a holding pen";
             "a retaining wall" [syn: {holding}]