▪ I. reˈtent, n. rare.
[ad. L. retent-um, neut. pa. pple. of retinēre to retain.]
(See quot.)
| 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. 495 The quantity of iron they retain (and which I therefore call their retent). Ibid. 504 And if the retent be variable. |
▪ II. † reˈtent, v. Obs. rare—1.
[ad. F. retent-ir to resound.]
trans. To cause to resound.
| 1584 Hudson Du Bartas' Judith iii. 134 Their Pagans fell, with clamor huge to hear, Made such a dinne as made the heaven resound, Retented hell, and tore the fixed ground. |
▪ III. † reˈtent, pa. pple.1 Obs.
[ad. L. retent-us, pa. pple. of retinēre to retain.]
Reserved; restrained, kept back.
| 1623 tr. Favine's Theat. Hon. iii. xi. 478 Very modest and retent in all his actions. 1642 H. More Song Soul ii. ii. iii. 26 Things that be fluent, As flitting time, by her be straight retent Unto one point. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Retent,..kept or holden back, staied, retained, kept in. |
▪ IV. † reˈtent, pa. pple.2 Obs.
[ad. L. retent-us, pa. pple. of retendĕre to unbend.]
‘Unbent.’
| 1656 Blount Glossogr. |