non-retentive
|non-re-ten-tive|
C1
/nɒn-rɪˈtɛntɪv/
unable to retain
Etymology
Etymology Information
'non-retentive' originates from the prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' and the word 'retentive' from Latin 'retentivus', where 'retinere' meant 'to hold back'.
Historical Evolution
'retentivus' transformed into the English word 'retentive', and with the addition of 'non-', it became 'non-retentive'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, 'retentive' meant 'able to hold back', and with 'non-', it evolved to mean 'unable to hold back or retain'.
Loading ad...
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
lacking the ability to retain or hold something, especially information or memory.
The student was non-retentive and struggled to remember the lessons.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/03/02 03:39