Latin dictionary · verb

teneō

to hold, have; to grasp

Dictionary forms: teneō, tenēre, tenuī, tentum

Inflection: second conjugation

Meaning and definitions

1. to hold, have; to grasp
2. to possess, occupy, control
3. to watch, guard, maintain, defend; to retain, keep
4. to reach, attain; to gain, acquire, obtain
5. to hold fast or back, restrain, detain, check, confine, control; to bind, fetter
6. to keep back, remain, stay, hold position

Connected roots

• ten-

  holding

Explore the word family

These words share a recorded root connection. A shared root is a learning clue; it does not establish every step in a word’s history.

• contents

  the things held or contained in something

• retain

  to continue to have; to keep possession of

Recorded forms

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