Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Retention

Retention , noun

[Latin retentio: compare French rétention. See Retain.]

1.
The act of retaining, or the state of being ratined.
2.
The power of retaining; retentiveness.
No woman's heart So big, to hold so much; they lack retention. — Shakespeare
3.
That which contains something, as a tablet; a {not transcribed} of preserving impressions. [Rare] — Shakespeare
4.
The act of withholding; retraint; reserve. — Shakespeare
5.
Place of custody or confinement.
6.
(Law) The right of withholding a debt, or of retaining property until a debt due to the person claiming the right be duly paid; a lien. — Erskine. Craig
Collocations (1)
Retention cyst (Medicine) , a cyst produced by obstruction of a duct leading from a secreting organ and the consequent retention of the natural secretions.