Retenía (en. Was holding back)
/re.teˈni.a/
Meaning & Definition
EnglishSpanish
verb
To stop someone or something in a place.
The police were holding the suspect while they conducted the investigations.
La policía retenía al sospechoso mientras realizaban las investigaciones.
To conserve something over time or in memory.
She retained memories of her childhood with great clarity.
Ella retenía recuerdos de su infancia con gran claridad.
To prevent the exit or passage of something.
The door kept out the winter cold.
La puerta retenía el frío del invierno.
Etymology
From Latin 'retinere', which means to hold, to conserve.
Common Phrases and Expressions
to hold attention
To maintain interest or concentration in something.
retener la atención
held up by traffic
To be stopped or delayed due to vehicular traffic.
retenido por el tráfico
to retain information
To conserve or remember data or facts.
retener información
Related Words
to retain
To hold or keep something.
retener
retention
The action of retaining or conserving something.
retención
retainer
An element that serves to keep something in its place.
retenedor
Slang Meanings
To hold someone informally.
The boss always held employees after hours to discuss work.
El jefe siempre retenía a los empleados después de hora para hablar de trabajo.
To keep secrets.
She is good at retaining confidential information.
Es buena en retener información confidencial.