retain

Everyday

1. To retain is to keep something and not lose it or give it away. tree →
2. To retain is to hold something in: a sponge retains water, a flask retains heat. tree →
3. To retain facts is to remember them. tree →

In the lessons

In maths: what is kept after giving away or spending a part; retained = start − given away. In science: soil retains water; wool and fur retain heat. In school: revising helps you retain what you learned. In everyday life: keep (retain) your receipt.

Examples

• She gave away 8 of her 20 stickers and retained the rest. tree →
• The shop retains 10% of the price. tree →
• How many marbles did he retain? tree →
• The soil retains 2 liters of water. tree →
• Clay soil retains more water than sandy soil. tree →
• A flask retains heat for hours. tree →
• Reading notes again helps you retain facts. tree →
• The team retained the trophy for another year. tree →
• But above all he retained the passion for good form. tree →

Note

What is retained = start minus what is given away. Trap: the question may ask for the part kept, not the part given away. «Retain» is a formal word for «keep». Past: retained.

In Jewish tradition

To hold back or keep, as a host keeps a guest, or as the strength of a person is held or lost.

Interpretation. Ecclesiastes teaches that no one can hold back the wind or death, which the sages read as a reminder of human limits and God's rule.

Examples

• And his father-in-law, the damsel's father, retained him; and he abode with him three days; so they did eat and drink, and lodged there. (Prophets JDG.19.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• So that I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. (Writings DAN.10.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• There is no man that hath power over the wind to retain the wind; neither hath he power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver him that is given to it. (Writings ECC.8.8, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

What is retained = start minus what is given away. Trap: the question may ask for the part kept, not the part given away. «Retain» is a formal word for «keep». Past: retained.