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    Retenir (en. Retain)

    /ʁə.tə.niʁ/

    Meaning & Definition

    EnglishFrench
    verb
    Keeping something inside so as not to let it out.
    She had to hold back her tears during the ceremony.
    Elle a dû retenir ses larmes pendant la cérémonie.
    To remember something.
    I try to keep his advice in mind for the future.
    J'essaie de retenir ses conseils pour l'avenir.
    To take or keep in one's possession.
    He checked out the book from the library.
    Il a retenu le livre à la bibliothèque.

    Etymology

    From Latin 'retinere', which means 'to hold back'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    hold one's breath
    Not breathing for a moment, often due to surprise or anxiety.
    retenir son souffle
    catch someone's attention
    Captivating someone's interest.
    retenir l'attention
    retain information
    Memorizing or keeping information in mind.
    retenir une information

    Related Words

    retention
    Action of retaining, keeping something.
    retention
    retained
    Having been thwarted or warned against an action.
    retenu

    Slang Meanings

    To keep something secret.
    He kept the info, no one knows it.
    Il a retenu l'info, personne ne le sait.
    To surprise someone.
    That joke surprised him, he didn't see it coming.
    Cette blague l'a retenu, il ne s'y attendait pas.