WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Re*ten"tion
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [L. retentio: cf. F. r?tention. See Retain.]
Definition : 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. Shak.

3. That which contains something, as a tablet; a [R.] Shak.

4. The act of withholding; retraint; reserve. Shak.

5. Place of custody or confinement.

6. (Law)

Defn: 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. Retention cyst (Med.), a cyst produced by obstruction of a duct leading from a secreting organ and the consequent retention of the natural secretions.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913