Definition
To retain is to keep, maintain, or continue to have possession of something; to preserve in a particular state, condition, or location. In the context of human cognition, retention refers to the ability to preserve learned information over time. In legal terminology, a retain may refer to the engagement of a professional (e.g., attorney) under a retainer agreement, wherein the client pays in advance to secure services.
Etymology
The English verb retain derives from the Middle English retenen, which in turn originates from the Old French retenir (“to hold back, keep”), composed of the prefix re- (“again”) and tenir (“to hold”). The Old French term traces back to Latin retinere (“to hold back, keep”), formed from re- (“again”) plus tenere (“to hold”).
General Usage
- Everyday language: “She retained her composure despite the chaotic situation.”
- Psychology and education: Retention denotes the ability to remember information after a period of time, a central concept in studies of memory and learning.
- Business and human resources: Employee retention describes strategies employed by organizations to keep staff members from leaving.
Legal Context
A retainer is a contractual agreement in which a client pays a fee to secure the services of a professional, most commonly an attorney. The fee may be refundable or non‑refundable and often serves to guarantee the professional’s availability and to cover anticipated costs.
Computing and Data Management
- Data retention: The practice of storing data for a defined period, often to satisfy regulatory, operational, or archival requirements.
- Memory retention: In computer architecture, retention refers to the ability of volatile memory (e.g., DRAM) to preserve stored information for a short duration without power, whereas non‑volatile memory retains data indefinitely without power.
Related Concepts
- Retention period: The length of time that information, records, or material must be kept before disposal.
- Retention rate: A statistical measure indicating the proportion of subjects (e.g., customers, students, employees) who continue in a given state over a specified time frame.
References
- Oxford English Dictionary, entry for retain.
- Merriam‑Webster Dictionary, definition of retain.
- American Bar Association, “Retainer Agreements”.
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 15489‑1:2016, records management standards concerning data retention.
This entry presents an objective overview of the term “retain,” reflecting its linguistic origins, primary meanings, and applications across multiple disciplines.