Be obedient, and retain Unalterably firm his love
entire. --Milton.
An executor may retain a debt due to him from the
testator. --Blackstone.
2. To keep in pay; to employ by a preliminary fee paid; to
hire; to engage; as, to retain a counselor.
A Benedictine convent has now retained the most
learned father of their order to write in its
defense. --Addison.
3. To restrain; to prevent. [Obs.] --Sir W. Temple.
{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}.
Syn: To keep; hold; retrain. See {Keep}.