retain
/rɪˈteɪn/
verb
Origin
Latin
retinere — to hold back, keep
Overview
Meaning Now
- To continue to have something; keep possession of.
- To absorb and continue to hold a substance.
- To secure the services of someone, typically a professional such as a lawyer, by paying a fee in advance.
Literal older meaning
to hold back
Language path
Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
reteinen
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word entered English via Anglo-Norman/Old French legal and administrative contexts. Its usage regarding hiring counsel (a 'retainer') reflects the medieval practice of 'retaining' a follower or servant by providing them with livery or a fee.
Evolution
- Latin
retinere
“to hold back or keep”
re- (back) + tenere (to hold)
- Old French
retenir
“to keep, hold back, hire”
- Middle English
reteinen
“to keep possession of”
- Modern English
retain
“to keep, hold, or hire”
Connections
Word parts
re-
prefix
back
tain
root
to hold
Related across languages
French
retenir
to keep
Spanish
retener
to retain
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Related to retain
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.