retainer
1 of 2noun (1)
re·tain·er ri-ˈtā-nər 
1
a
: a person attached or owing service to a household
especially : servant
b
: employee
2
: one that retains
3
: a device or structure that holds something in place: such as
a
: the part of a dental replacement (such as a bridge) by which it is made fast to adjacent natural teeth
b
: a dental appliance used to hold teeth in correct position especially following orthodontic treatment
retainer
2 of 2noun (2)
1
: the act of a client by which the services of a lawyer, counselor, or adviser are engaged
2
: a fee paid to a lawyer or professional adviser for advice or services or for a claim on services when needed
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- daily [British]
- domestic
- flunky
- flunkey
- flunkie
- lackey
- menial
- servant
- steward
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Noun (2)
Middle English reteigner, literally, retention, from Anglo-French, from reteigner, verb
First Known Use
Noun (1)
1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun (2)
1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
retainer
noun
re·tain·er ri-ˈtān-ər
1
: the part of a dental replacement (as a bridge) by which it is made fast to adjacent natural teeth
2
: a dental appliance used to hold teeth in their correct position especially following orthodontic treatment
Legal Definition
retainer
noun
re·tain·er ri-ˈtā-nər
1
: the act of a client by which the services of a lawyer are engaged
2
: a fee paid to a lawyer for advice or services or for a claim on services when needed
retainer
noun
1
as in servant
a person hired to perform household or personal services knights being dressed for battle by their retainers Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- servant
- maid
- lackey
- housekeeper
- butler
- steward
- woman
- groom
- flunkie
- flunky
- manservant
- flunkey
- domestic
- assistant
- daily
- valet
- menial
- footman
- servitor
- man
- wench
- houseman
- housemaid
- companion
- maidservant
- majordomo
- houseboy
- attendant
- follower
- lady-in-waiting
- handmaiden
- factotum
- gofer
- gopher
- dogsbody
- handmaid
- drudge
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- master
- mistress
- boss
- head
- leader
- captain
- foreman
- chief
- kingpin
- headman
- helmsman
- taskmaster
2
as in employee
one who works for another for wages or a salary lifelong civil service retainers Synonyms & Similar Words
- employee
- worker
- employe
- assistant
- hireling
- colleague
- associate
- laborer
- hand
- jobholder
- underling
- subordinate
- cog
- workman
- flunky
- workwoman
- flunkie
- wage earner
- gandy dancer
- flunkey
- toiler
- coworker
- temporary
- grub
- wage slave
- workingwoman
- wageworker
- yes-man
- hack
- jobber
- workingman
- temp
- navvy
- drudge
- nine-to-fiver
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- employer
- boss
- supervisor
- gaffer
- superior
