Webster's English Dictionary

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retain

Cross references:
  1. keep                  
 
re.tain \ri-'ta-n\ vt [ME reteinen, retainen, fr. MF retenir, fr. L 
   retine-re] to hold back, keep, restrain, fr. re- + tene-re to hold - more 
   at THIN 1a: to keep in possession or use  1b: to keep in pay or in one's 
   service; specif : to employ by payi ng a regainer 2: to hold secure or 
   intact {lead ~s heat}