Related Searches
Nearby Words
Synonyms
Related Questions
What is a retainer?

retainer

 [ri-tey-ner]   Example Sentences Origin

re·tain·er

1   [ri-tey-ner]
noun
1.
a person or thing that retains.
2.
a servant or attendant who has served a family for many years.
3.
Also called cage, separator. Machinery. a ring separating, and moving with, balls or rollers in a bearing.
4.
Orthodontics.
a.
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.
b.
Prosthodontics. a part on a bridge or the like by which the bridge is attached to the natural teeth.
Orthodontic Braces www.greenbergortho.com/ Friendly & Experienced Doctor & Staff. Schedule Your Consult Today.
Ad
Origin:
1530–40; retain + -er1

Related forms
re·tain·er·ship, noun

00:10

00:09

00:08

00:07

00:06

00:05

00:04

00:03

00:02

00:01

Retainer is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Example Sentences
  • They can charge clients a retainer to look up things.
  • Mazda said the rust on the hinges of the wiper arms might be caused by too-thin paint film on the retainer hinge.
  • The ultimate celebrity status symbol might be having a guy on retainer who can pimp your ride.
EXPAND
Dictionary.com Unabridged

re·tain·er

2   [ri-tey-ner]
noun
1.
the act of retaining in one's service.
2.
the fact of being so retained.
3.
a fee paid to secure services, as of a lawyer.
Origin:
1425–75; late Middle English reteinir, probably noun use of Middle French retenir to retain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To retainer
Collins
World English Dictionary
retainer (rɪˈteɪnə)
 
—n
1.  history a supporter or dependant of a person of rank, esp a soldier
2.  a servant, esp one who has been with a family for a long time
3.  a clip, frame, or similar device that prevents a part of a machine, engine, etc, from moving
4.  a dental appliance for holding a loose tooth or prosthetic device in position
5.  a fee paid in advance to secure first option on the services of a barrister, jockey, etc
6.  a reduced rent paid for a flat, room, etc, during absence to reserve it for future use

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

retainer
"fee to secure services," 1453, "act of keeping for oneself" from retain (perhaps infl. by M.Fr. retenir, infinitive used as a noun). Meaning "fee paid to an attorney to secure his services" is from 1818.
EXPAND

retainer
"servant," 1540, from retain (v.). Meaning "dental structure used to hold a bridge in place" is recorded from 1887.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

retainer re·tain·er (rĭ-tā'nər)
n.

  1. One that retains, as a device, frame, or groove that restrains or guides, especially for a prosthesis.

  2. An appliance used to hold teeth in position after orthodontic treatment.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Partners:WordBloglinesCitysearchThe Daily BeastAsk AnswersAsk KidsLife123SendoriThesaurus
Dictionary.com, LLC. Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved.
About Privacy Policy Terms of Use API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Help
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT