retain wall

retain wall
Retain Re*tain" (r[-e]*t[=a]n"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Retained} (r[-e]*t[=a]nd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Retaining}.] [F. retainir, L. retinere; pref. re- re- + tenere to hold, keep. See {Tenable}, and cf. {Rein} of a bridle, {Retention}, {Retinue}.] 1. To continue to hold; to keep in possession; not to lose, part with, or dismiss; to restrain from departure, escape, or the like. ``Thy shape invisible retain.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Be obedient, and retain Unalterably firm his love entire. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

An executor may retain a debt due to him from the testator. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster]

2. To keep in pay; to employ by a preliminary fee paid; to hire; to engage; as, to retain a counselor. [1913 Webster]

A Benedictine convent has now retained the most learned father of their order to write in its defense. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

3. To restrain; to prevent. [Obs.] --Sir W. Temple. [1913 Webster]

{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}. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To keep; hold; restrain. See {Keep}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Retain — Re*tain (r[ e]*t[=a]n ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Retained} (r[ e]*t[=a]nd ); p. pr. & vb. n. {Retaining}.] [F. retainir, L. retinere; pref. re re + tenere to hold, keep. See {Tenable}, and cf. {Rein} of a bridle, {Retention}, {Retinue}.] 1. To… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • wall — less, adj. wall like, adj. /wawl/, n. 1. any of various permanent upright constructions having a length much greater than the thickness and presenting a continuous surface except where pierced by doors, windows, etc.: used for shelter, protection …   Universalium

  • Retaining wall — Retain Re*tain (r[ e]*t[=a]n ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Retained} (r[ e]*t[=a]nd ); p. pr. & vb. n. {Retaining}.] [F. retainir, L. retinere; pref. re re + tenere to hold, keep. See {Tenable}, and cf. {Rein} of a bridle, {Retention}, {Retinue}.] 1.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • retain — v.tr. 1 a keep possession of; not lose; continue to have, practise, or recognize. b not abolish, discard, or alter. 2 keep in one s memory. 3 keep in place; hold fixed. 4 secure the services of (a person, esp. a barrister) with a preliminary… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act — Full title An Act to promote the financial stability of the United States by improving accountability and transparency in the financial system, to end too big to fail , to protect the American taxpayer by ending bailouts, to protect consumers… …   Wikipedia

  • Cell wall — A cell wall is a tough, flexible and sometimes fairly rigid layer surrounding a cell, located external to the cell membrane, which provides the cell with structural support, protection, and acts as a filtering mechanism. A major function of the… …   Wikipedia

  • Retaining wall — A retaining wall is a structure that holds back soil or rock from a building, structure or area. Retaining walls prevent downslope movement or erosion and provide support for vertical or near vertical grade changes. Cofferdams and bulkheads,… …   Wikipedia

  • Brad Wall — Infobox Prime Minister honorific prefix = The Honourable name = Bradley John Wall honorific suffix = MLA caption = office1 = 14th Premier of Saskatchewan term start1 = November 21, 2007 term end1 = predecessor1 = Lorne Calvert successor1 =… …   Wikipedia

  • Charles Wall — Charles Cecil Wall (born c. 1903 – May 1, 1995) was an American self taught historian and preservationist, who spent nearly 40 years as resident director of George Washington s estate at Mount Vernon on the banks of the Potomac River, where he… …   Wikipedia

  • fire wall — noun 1. : a wall to prevent the spread of fire usually made of noncombustible materials; especially : a wall completely separating two parts of a building from the basement to three feet above the roof and consisting of fire resistive material… …   Useful english dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”