[v] keep in one's mind; "I cannot retain so much information"
[v] as to represent; of legal counsel; "I'm retaining a lawyer"
[v] secure and keep for possible future use or application; "The landlord retained the security deposit"; "I reserve the right to disagree"
[v] hold on to
[v] allow to remain in a place or position; "We cannot continue several servants any longer"; "She retains a lawyer"; "The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff"; "Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on"; "We kept the work going as long as we could"
[v] hold within; "This soil retains water"; "I retain this drug for a long time"