3. To distribute in small portions or at second hand; to tell again or
to many (what has been told or done); to report; as, to retail slander.
"To whom I will retail my conquest won." Shak.
He is wit's peddler, and retails his wares At wakes and wassails.
Shak.
Re*tail"er (?), n. One who retails anything; as, a retailer of
merchandise; a retailer of gossip.
Re*tail"ment (?), n. The act of retailing.
Re*tain" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retained (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Retaining.] [F. retainir, L. retinere; pref. re- re- + tenere to hold,
keep. See Tenable, and cf. Rein of a bridle, Retention, Retinue.] 1. To
continue to hold; to keep in possession; not to lose, part with, or
dismiss; to retrain from departure, escape, or the like. "Thy shape
invisibleretain." Shak.
Be obedient, and retain Unalterably firm his love entire.
Milton.
An executor may retain a debt due to him from the testator.
Blackstone.
2. To keep in pay; to employ by a preliminary fee paid; to hire; to
engage; as, to retain a counselor.
A Benedictine convent has now retained the most learned father of
their order to write in its defense.
Addison.