Retaining wall

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. 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.

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  • retaining wall — retaining walls N COUNT A retaining wall is a wall that is built to prevent the earth behind it from moving …   English dictionary

  • retaining wall — ► NOUN ▪ a wall that holds back earth or water on one side of it …   English terms dictionary

  • retaining wall — n. a wall built to keep a bank of earth from sliding or water from flooding …   English World dictionary

  • 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

  • retaining wall — a wall for holding in place a mass of earth or the like, as at the edge of a terrace or excavation. Also called breast wall. [1830 40] * * * or revetment Wall constructed to hold in place a mass of earth or prevent the erosion of an embankment.… …   Universalium

  • retaining wall — UK [rɪˈteɪnɪŋ ˌwɔːl] / US [rɪˈteɪnɪŋ ˌwɔl] noun [countable] Word forms retaining wall : singular retaining wall plural retaining walls a wall that is built to prevent earth or water from moving forwards …   English dictionary

  • retaining wall — noun a wall that is built to resist lateral pressure (especially a wall built to prevent the advance of a mass of earth) • Hypernyms: ↑wall * * * noun, pl ⋯ walls [count] : a wall that is built to keep the land behind it from sliding …   Useful english dictionary

  • retaining wall — re taining .wall n a wall that is built to prevent land from slipping or moving …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • retaining wall — re|tain|ing wall [ rı teınıŋ ,wɔl ] noun count TECHNICAL a wall built to prevent earth or water from moving forward …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • retaining wall — noun a wall that holds back earth or water on one side of it …   English new terms dictionary

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