retentive

• POS: Adjective
• HYPHEN: re=ten=tive

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]

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.

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.