Retém

Retém is the third-person singular present indicative form of the Portuguese verb reter. The verb reter means to hold back, keep, retain, or detain. It can describe physical retention, withholding of information, or keeping a quantity within a container. The corresponding 2nd person singular form is reténs, the 1st person singular is retenho, and the 3rd person plural is retêm. The form retém, with the acute accent é, marks the singular; the plural form is retêm, with ê.

Etymology and related forms: Reter derives from Latin retinere, a combination of re- (back) and tenere (to hold). The noun related to the action is retenção, meaning retention or withholding, as in retenção de impostos or retenção de água.

Uses and examples: In everyday language, retém can describe keeping something from leaving or conserving it, as in a reservoir that retém água (retains water) or a person who retém information (retains information). In finance and payroll, the verb is used to indicate withholding, for example, a company retém part of the salary for taxes. In a broader sense, retém can denote delaying or preventing movement, such as materials that retêm calor or a processor that retém data temporarily during processing. In formal or legal contexts, it may imply keeping a person or item within custody or control, although more precise terms like deter or detain are also common depending on jurisdiction and nuance.

See also: reter, retenção, retenção de impostos, retenção de água, memória, retenção de informações.