retainer - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

retainer

|re-tain-er|

🇺🇸

/rɪˈteɪnər/

🇬🇧

/rɪˈteɪnə/

(retain)

keep or hold

Base Form	Plural	3rd Person Sing.	Past	Past Participle	Present Participle	Noun	Adjective	Adjective	Adjective	Adjective	Adjective
retain	retainers	retains	retained	retained	retaining	retention	unlawfully-retained	unjustly-retained	retained	illicitly-retained	retentive

Etymology

Etymology Information

'retainer' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'reteynere,' where 're-' meant 'again' and 'tenere' meant 'to hold.'

Historical Evolution

'reteynere' transformed into the modern English word 'retainer' through Middle English.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to hold again,' but over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'a fee' or 'a device.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a fee paid in advance to someone, especially a lawyer, to secure their services.

The lawyer charged a retainer to begin working on the case.

Synonyms

Noun 2

a device or structure that holds something in place, such as a dental retainer.

After getting braces removed, she wore a retainer to keep her teeth aligned.

Synonyms

Examples

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42