retentive

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French rétentif, from Old French retentif, from Medieval Latin retentivus, from Latin retentus.

Adjective

retentive (comparative more retentive, superlative most retentive)

  1. Having power to retain
    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

Derived terms

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

Anagrams

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