retention
UK: rɪˈtenʃn | US: rɪˈtenʃn
n. the act or power of retaining or keeping things in memory or possession
n. the continued existence or use of something over time
n. (medical) the inability to discharge bodily fluids (e.g., urinary retention)
retention = re<back> + tent<hold> + ion<noun suffix>
- re: Latin prefix meaning "back" or "again."
- tent: From Latin tenere ("to hold"), seen in words like "tenant" or "tenacious."
- ion: Noun-forming suffix indicating an action or state.
Etymology Origin:
The word "retention" traces back to Latin retentio ("a holding back"), derived from retinere (re- "back" + tenere "to hold"). It originally described the physical act of holding something back but later expanded to abstract concepts like memory or preservation. The core logic revolves around "holding" (tenere) in a sustained or repeated (re-) manner.
The company improved employee retention by offering better benefits.
Water retention in the body can cause swelling.
His retention of historical facts is impressive.
The soil's retention of moisture helps plants grow.
The lawyer argued for the retention of the original contract terms.