Retainable is spelled \rɪˈteɪ.nə.bəl\, with the stress on the second syllable. The word comes from the verb "retain", meaning to keep or continue to have something, and the suffix "-able", meaning capable of. Retainable describes something that is able to be kept or maintained. It is a common word in the legal and business worlds, and is often used in reference to contracts, agreements, or assets. The correct spelling is important to ensure clear communication and avoid misunderstandings.
Retainable is an adjective that describes the quality or ability of being capable of being retained, kept, or maintained. It refers to something that can be preserved, held onto, or sustained over time.
In the context of employment or workforce, retainable typically describes an employee or worker who possesses the necessary skills, knowledge, experience, or attributes that make them valuable or worth keeping within an organization. In other words, a retainable employee is someone who the company aims to retain or keep on their staff due to their exceptional performance, contribution, or potential.
The term retainable is also commonly used in legal and financial settings. In the legal field, it can refer to the ability of a document or evidence to be preserved and admitted as valid or reliable. For example, retainable records are those that are legally required to be kept and maintained for a specific period.
Similarly, in the financial realm, retainable can pertain to assets or investments that have the potential to be held or maintained for a prolonged period without significant setbacks or losses. It suggests that these assets have inherent durability, potential for growth, or stability.
Overall, retainable implies the capacity of something or someone to be maintained, sustained, or kept over time, whether it pertains to employees, documents, records, or assets.
Capable of being retained.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "retainable" is derived from the verb "retain", which dates back to the late 14th century. "Retain" is derived from the Old French word "retenir", meaning "to hold, keep, remember". This Old French word can be further traced back to the Latin word "retinere", which also means "to hold back, restrain, keep, preserve". The suffix "-able" in "retainable" derives from Middle English, indicating the ability or capacity for an action, in this case, the ability to be retained or kept.