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   retentive

   /rɪˈtɛntɪv/

   adjective

   • 1. (of a person's memory) effective in retaining facts and impressions: "he had a highly retentive memory and was an accomplished speaker"
   • 2. (of a substance) able to absorb and hold moisture: "soil should be rich and moisture retentive"
   • ▪ serving to keep something in place.

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French retentif, -ive or medieval Latin retentivus, from retent- ‘held back’, from the verb retinere (see retain).

   Derivatives

   • 1. retentively adverb
   • 2. retentiveness noun

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • T

     1

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

   • T

     1

   • I

     1

   • V

     4

   • E

     1

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