Dictionary

retentive en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /ɹɪˈtɛntɪv/
• (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French rétentif, from Old French retentif, from Medieval Latin retentivus, from Latin retentus.

Meanings

1. Having power to retain.
   • a soil that is highly retentive of rainwater
   • Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, Can be retentive to the strength of spirit. 1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:
   • Mr Carlyle smiled his indulgence privately. "My dear chap, you mustn't let your retentive memory of obscure happenings run away with you," he remarked wisely. 1914, Ernest Bramah, Max Carrados:
2. (apocopic, slang) Anal-retentive.

Forms

Deriveds

anal retentive · retentiveness · stereoretentive · retentively · unretentive · anal-retentive · nonretentive · gastroretentive · irretentive · retentivity

retentive en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ɹɪˈtɛntɪv/
• (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French rétentif, from Old French retentif, from Medieval Latin retentivus, from Latin retentus.

Meanings

1. (obsolete) That which retains or confines; a restraint.

Forms