Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for retainer on Thesaurus.com a person or thing that retains. a servant or attendant who has served a family for many years. Also called cage , separator . Machinery a ring separating, and moving with, balls or rollers in a bearing. Orthodontics a fixed or removable device worn in the mouth to hold the teeth in their new position during the adaptive period after straightening appliances have been removed. Prosthodontics a part on a bridge or the like by which the bridge is attached to the natural teeth. Show More
Origin of retainer 1 First recorded in
1530–40; retain +
-er1 Related forms re·tain·er·ship , noun the act of retaining in one's service. the fact of being so retained . a fee paid to secure services, as of a lawyer. Show More
Origin of retainer 2 1425–75; late Middle English reteinir, probably noun use of
Middle French retenir to
retain Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for retainer entourage ,
fee ,
cortege ,
servant ,
retinue ,
company ,
appliance ,
crew ,
minion ,
train ,
gang ,
clique ,
employee ,
attendant Examples from the Web for retainer Contemporary Examples of retainer Like any high-powered attorney who charges $100,000 for a retainer , Bolt always seems to be one step ahead of the competition.
One of the perks offered by the challenge is help from a list of professionals the foundation will keep on retainer .
Is it worth it for these companies to keep stars and their keepers on retainer ?
Historical Examples of retainer Napier thought there was some collusion between the juggler and his retainer .
Do I understand—do you mean that you wish me to accept Cousin Holliday's retainer ?
And there is no retainer so devoted as he who is allowed to sit on the doorstep.
They been paying me off—and that's a retainer , you might say.
The Resident learned this from a retainer of one of these nobles.
British Dictionary definitions for retainer history a supporter or dependant of a person of rank, esp a soldier a servant, esp one who has been with a family for a long time a clip, frame, or similar device that prevents a part of a machine, engine, etc, from moving a dental appliance for holding a loose tooth or prosthetic device in position a fee paid in advance to secure first option on the services of a barrister, jockey, etc a reduced rent paid for a flat, room, etc, during absence to reserve it for future use Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for retainer n.1 "fee to secure services," mid-15c., originally "act of keeping for oneself" from retain , or perhaps from or influenced by Middle French retenir , infinitive used as a noun. Meaning "fee paid to an attorney to secure his services" is from 1818.
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n.2 "servant," 1530s, agent noun from retain (v.). Also "one who retains or holds" (1540s). Meaning "dental structure used to hold a bridge in place" is recorded from 1887.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
One that retains, as a device, frame, or groove that restrains or guides, especially for a prosthesis. An appliance used to hold teeth in position after orthodontic treatment. Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
