retention

noun

Etymology: From Middle English retencioun, borrowed from Latin retentiō, retentiōnis, from retentus, the perfect passive participle of retineō (“retain”) (from re- (“back, again”) + teneō (“hold, keep”)).

1. The act of retaining or something retained.

   “No woman's heart / So big, to hold so much; they lack retention.”

2. The act or power of remembering things.
3. Memory; what is retained in the mind.

   “"Still," Suit echoed. "The way she handles the gun jamming." Suit shook their head in admiration. "Tap, rack, bang, without hesitation. That's extraordinary retention."”

4. The involuntary withholding of urine and faeces.
5. The length of time a patient remains in treatment.
6. That which contains something, as a tablet; a means of preserving impressions.

   “Thy gift, thy tables, are within my brain Full character’d with lasting memory, […] That poor retention could not so much hold, Nor need I tallies thy dear love to score;”

7. The act of withholding; restraint; reserve.

   “His life I gave him, and did thereto add / My love without retention or restraint,”

8. A place of custody or confinement.
9. The right to withhold a debt, or of retaining property until a debt due to the person claiming the right is duly paid; a lien.

   “The right of retention, which bears a near resemblance to compensation, is chiefly competent where the mutual debts, not being liquid, cannot be the ground of compensation”

10. The portion of a potential damage that must be paid for by the holder of an insurance policy.