- The keeping in the body of what normally belongs there, especially food and drink in the stomach.
- The keeping in the body of what normally should be discharged, as urine or feces.
- Retaining that which has been learned so that it can be used later as in recall, recognition, or, if retention is partial, relearning.
- Resistance to dislodgement.
- In dentistry, a passive period following treatment when a patient is wearing an appliance or appliances to maintain or stabilize the teeth in the new position into which they have been moved.
[L. retentio, a holding back]
See Also: memory
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Examples: glitazone, GI cocktail, etc.