retinue

[ret-n-oo, -yoo]

noun

1. a body of retainers in attendance upon an important personage; suite.

retinue

/ ˈrɛtɪˌnjuː /

noun

1. a body of aides and retainers attending an important person, royalty, etc

Other Word Forms

• retinued adjective
• unretinued adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of retinue¹

1325–75; Middle English retinue < Middle French, noun use of feminine past participle of retenir to retain

Word History and Origins

Origin of retinue¹

C14: from Old French retenue , from retenir to _retain

Example Sentences

She collected some of the most fascinating information on the latter by watching Flo, an older female with a bulbous nose and an amazing retinue of suitors who was bearing children well into her 40s.

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The services of a life-preserving, ego-boosting retinue of intimidating protectors — picture dark glasses, earpiece, stern visage — were cited by more than one Harris associate, past and present, as a factor in her deliberations.

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He pointed out that the monarch had also been behaving erratically in his public life, sacking several senior officials in his retinue.

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The resulting decision comes in a pinnacle moment when Mariko tries to lead her retinue out of Osaka only to be stopped by castle guards.

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Count Philip of Flanders would often arrive at the lists with his retinue and publicly declare his intention to spectate rather than fight.

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Related Words

• entourage