Word Study
retentive
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Adjective retentive has 3 senses
- retentive(a = adj.all) long, recollective, tenacious - good at remembering; "a retentive mind"; "tenacious memory" Derived forms verb retain4, verb retain1, noun retentiveness1, noun retentivity1
- retentive(a = adj.pert) Array - having the capacity to retain something; Array Derived form noun retentiveness2
- retentive(s = adj.all) Array - having the power, capacity, or quality of retaining water; "soils retentive of moisture" Derived forms noun retentiveness3, noun retentivity3
Antonym: unretentive
CIDE DICTIONARY
retentive, a. [Cf. F. rétentif.].
Having power to retain; as, a retentive memory. [1913 Webster]
"Nor airless dungeon, nor strong links of iron,
Can be retentive to the strength of spirit." [1913 Webster]
Can be retentive to the strength of spirit." [1913 Webster]
retentive, n.
That which retains or confines; a restraint. Bp. Hall. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
retentive, adj.
1 (often foll. by of) tending to retain (moisture etc.).
2 (of memory or a person) not forgetful.
3 Surgery (of a ligature etc.) serving to keep something in place.
1 (often foll. by of) tending to retain (moisture etc.).
2 (of memory or a person) not forgetful.
3 Surgery (of a ligature etc.) serving to keep something in place.
Derivative
retentively adv. retentiveness n.
Etymology
ME f. OF retentif -ive or med.L retentivus (as RETAIN)
ROGET THESAURUS
retentive
Retention
N retention, retaining, keep, detention, custody, tenacity, firm hold, grasp, gripe, grip, iron grip, fangs, teeth, claws, talons, nail, unguis, hook, tentacle, tenaculum, bond, clutches, tongs, forceps, pincers, nippers, pliers, vice, paw, hand, finger, wrist, fist, neaf, neif, bird in hand, captive, retaining, retentive, tenacious, unforfeited, undeprived, undisposed, uncommunicated, incommunicable, inalienable, in mortmain, in strict settlement, uti possidetis.
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