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Webster 1913 Edition


Retentive

Re-ten′tive

,
Adj.
[Cf. F.
rétentif
.]
Having power to retain;
as, a
retentive
memory
.
Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron,
Can be
retentive
to the strength of spirit.
Shakespeare

Re-ten′tive

,
Noun.
That which retains or confines; a restraint.
[R.]
Bp. Hall.

Webster 1828 Edition


Retentive

RETEN'TIVE

,
Adj.
Having the power to retain; as a retentive memory; the retentive faculty; the retentive force of the stomach; a body retentive of heat or moisture.

Definition 2024


retentive

retentive

English

Adjective

retentive (comparative more retentive, superlative most retentive)

  1. Having power to retain; as, a retentive memory.
    • c. 1599, William Shakespeare, Julius Caeser', Act 1 Scene 3
      Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron, Can be retentive to the strength of spirit.
  2. (slang, apocope) anal-retentive

Noun

retentive (plural retentives)

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

References

  • retentive in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913

Italian

Adjective

retentive

  1. Feminine plural form of retentivo

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