释义 |
retainretain /rɪˈteɪn/ ●●○ W3 AWL verb [transitive] formal ETYMOLOGYretainOrigin: 1300-1400 Old French retenir, from Latin retinere, from tenere to hold VERB TABLEretain |
Present | I, you, we, they | retain | | he, she, it | retains | Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | retained | Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have retained | | he, she, it | has retained | Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had retained | Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will retain | Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have retained |
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Present | I | am retaining | | he, she, it | is retaining | | you, we, they | are retaining | Past | I, he, she, it | was retaining | | you, we, they | were retaining | Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been retaining | | he, she, it | has been retaining | Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been retaining | Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be retaining | Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been retaining |
► retain control/possession of something Russia wants to retain control of the islands. ► retain your independence/freedom/identity etc. The local people are struggling to retain their identity. THESAURUSnot get rid of something► keep to continue to have something and not lose it or get rid of it: We decided to keep our old car. I kept his letters for years. ► store to put things away and keep them there until you need them: Canned goods can be stored at room temperature. ► save to keep something so that you can use or enjoy it in the future: I’m saving this bottle of champagne for a special occasion. ► retain formal retain means the same as save but is used in official or formal language: Retain a copy of this form for your records. ► reserve to keep something separate from similar things so that it can be used for a particular purpose: These seats are reserved for people with tickets. ► file to store papers or information in a particular order or a particular place: All the contracts are filed alphabetically. ► preserve to treat or store an object, document, or food in a special way so that it can be kept for a long time without damage or decay: The old documents have been scanned into a database so that they can be preserved for future generations. ► collect to get and keep objects of the same type because you think they are attractive or interesting: Kate collects old postcards. ► hoard to collect things in large amounts and keep them, especially in a secret place: People hoarded rice and then sold it on the black market. 1to keep or continue to have something, for example a quality, right, or position: The town has retained much of its charm.retain control/possession of something Russia wants to retain control of the islands.retain your independence/freedom/identity etc. The local people are struggling to retain their identity. → see also retention ► see thesaurus at keep12to prevent heat, liquid, etc. from escaping: The building is designed to retain heat.3to keep or continue to have a document or other object, and not lose it, sell it, or throw it away: Retain copies of tax documents for at least three years.4to keep facts in your memory: She has lost the ability to retain most short-term memories.5if you retain a lawyer or other professional, you pay them to work for you now and in the future6if a company retains workers, it continues to employ them, especially over a long period [Origin: 1300–1400 Old French retenir, from Latin retinere, from tenere to hold] |