late 14c., "able to hold or keep" (mental or physical), from Old French retentif, from Medieval Latin retentivus, from past participle stem of Latin retinere (see retain). Related: Retentively; retentiveness.
a retentive mind
soils retentive of moisture
retarder
retch
rete
retell
retention
retentive
rethink
reticence
reticent
reticle
reticular