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retainer1 definition

re·tainer (ri tān′ər)

noun

  1. a person or thing that retains
  2. a person serving another, esp. someone of rank; servant, attendant, adherent, etc.
  3. any of several devices used to retain; specif.,
    1. a groove, frame, etc. within which roller bearings are held
    2. a device designed to hold teeth in position after they have been adjusted by orthodontics
retainer2 definition

re·tainer (ri tān′ər)

noun

  1. the act of engaging the services of a lawyer, consultant, etc.
  2. a fee paid in advance to make such services available when needed

Etymology: ME reteyner: see retain & -er, sense

retainer Idioms

on retainer

hired, engaged, etc. by a retainer (sense ): said as of a lawyer

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

business retainer definition - business

law retainer definition - legal

medical retainer definition - medical

retainer Synonyms

retainer

n.

  1. A person who serves another

    attendant, lackey, valet; see attendant, servant.

  2. A fee paid to engage services

    advance, deposit, money up front; see payment 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

retainer Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • pay: You would probably have to pay a retainer of 25 % of the agreed fee.

Adjective modifier

  • faithful: Having had the same happen to poor old Bingo last year, the feeling is much the same -- a faithful old retainer despatched.

Modifies a noun

  • deposit: Payment of your retainer deposit can be made on-line by clicking here.

Noun used with modifier

  • socket: Spring ball socket retainer and drilled head to accept retaining pin where applicable.
retainer usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"retainer." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/retainer>

APA Style

retainer. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/retainer

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