2. The power of retaining; retentiveness.
No woman's heart So big, to hold so much; they lack
retention. --Shak.
3. That which contains something, as a tablet; a ???? of
preserving impressions. [R.] --Shak.
4. The act of withholding; retraint; reserve. --Shak.
5. Place of custody or confinement.
6. (Law) The right of withholding a debt, or of retaining
property until a debt due to the person claiming the right
be duly paid; a lien. --Erskine. Craig.
{Retention cyst} (Med.), a cyst produced by obstruction of a
duct leading from a secreting organ and the consequent
retention of the natural secretions.