~tain, ten,tent

Hold

• Abstain(v)• Contain(v.)• Detain(v.)• Detention (n.)• Extend(v.)• Patent (n.)• Retainer(n.)• Tenant(n.)• Tendon(n.)• Tentative (adj.)

Abstain(v)

• To hold back from an activity by choice • To hold back from voting

Lucy had to abstain from voting because her mother was one of the candidates.

Contain(v.)

• To hold• To have within

The movie was so funny that it was difficult for Jake to contain his laughter.

Detain(v.)

• To hold back• To delay• To keep from proceeding

The passenger was detained from boarding the airplane for safety reasons.

Detention (n.)

• A period of time in which someone is held back

• A form of punishment by holding someone after school hours

When Carl had forgotten his homework for two days he received a detention.

Extend(v.)

• To hold out• To unbend• To stretch or spread out• To offer

Tori extended her arm to the new classmate.

Patent (n.)

• Legal ownership of an invention held by the

creator• Exclusive rights or

ownership

The inventor of the robotic mop filed for a U.S. patent.

Retainer (n.)

• Something that holds something else in

• A device that holds something in

After having her braces removed, Abigail worn a retainer every night to keep her teeth straight.

Tenant (n.)

• A holder of land rights• A person who holds the

right to live in a residence

• An occupant

The owner of the apartment building was looking for a tenant for the vacant apartment.

Tendon(n.)

• A band of tough fibrous tissue that holds muscle to a bone

John had his arm in a cast because he had torn his tendon.

Tentative(v.)

• Holding back on the final decision

• Hesitant• Not fully agreed upon

Tim and Troy had tentative plans to dine at the new restaurant.