retainer

noun

1. 1

   Any thing or person that retains.

2. 2

   A dependent or follower of someone of rank.

   If they possessed the means to marshal labour, pile up food resources and provender armies of year-round retainers, what sort of royalty would consciously elect not to do so.

3. 3

   A paid servant, especially one who has been employed for many years.

   Of all this family lore I knew but little and vaguely; only what is to be gathered from the fireside talk of old retainers in the nursery.

4. 4

   A fee one pays to reserve the other's time for services.

   This lawyer charges a retainer for his work.

5. 5

   A device that holds teeth in position after orthodontic treatment.

   You give me head / It makes it worse / Take out your fuckin' retainer / Put it in your purse

6. 6

   A retaining valve.

Forms

plural

retainers