Often followed by from: to hold back (someone or something); to check, to prevent, to restrain, to stop. • To hold back (a pupil) instead of allowing them to advance to the next class or year; to keep back. • Of a thing: to hold or keep (something) inside it; to contain. • To hold back (tissue or a substance, especially urine) in the body or a body organ. • To hold (something) secure; to prevent (something) from becoming detached or separated. • To keep (something) in control or possession; to continue having (something); to keep back. • To keep (something) in the mind; to recall, to remember. • To keep (something) in place or use, instead of removing or abolishing it; to preserve. • To engage or hire (someone), especially temporarily. • To employ (someone, especially a lawyer) by paying a retainer (“fee one pays to reserve another person's time for services”); specifically, to engage (a barrister) by making an initial payment to secure their services if needed. • To keep (someone) in one's pay or service; also, (chiefly historical) to maintain (someone) as a dependent or follower. • To control or restrain (oneself); to exercise self-control over (oneself). • To keep (someone) in custody; to prevent (someone) from leaving. • To declare (a sin) not forgiven. • To keep in control or possession; to continue having. • To have the ability to keep something in the mind; to use the memory. • Of a body or body organ: to hold back tissue or a substance. • To refrain from doing something. • To be a dependent or follower to someone. • To continue, to remain.