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retainer

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re⋅tain⋅er

1  [ri-tey-ner]
Use retainer in a Sentence
–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.
Origin:
1530–40; retain + -er 1

Related forms:
re⋅tain⋅er⋅ship, noun
Dental Braces Dentist
South Bay Ultramodern Dental Office Free Consultation - 310-303-7930.
www.smileworks.dds.com
Dental Care Basics
Brush, Floss & Visit the Dentist Find a Friendly Dental Office Now!
www.1800dentist.com

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 ME reteinir, prob. n. use of MF retenir to retain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To retainer
re·tain·er 1   (rĭ-tā'nər)   
n.  

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

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

    1. An employee, typically a long-term employee.

    2. A servant or an attendant, especially one in the household of a person of high rank.

re·tain·er 2   (rĭ-tā'nər)   
n.  

  1. The act of engaging the services of a professional adviser, such as an attorney, counselor, or consultant.

  2. The fee paid to retain a professional adviser.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

retainer  (1)
"fee to secure services," 1453, "act of keeping for oneself" from retain (v.) (perhaps infl. by M.Fr. retenir, infinitive used as a noun). Meaning "fee paid to an attorney to secure his services" is from 1818.

retainer  (2)
"servant," 1540, from retain (v.). Meaning "dental structure used to hold a bridge in place" is recorded from 1887.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: re·tain·er
Pronunciation: ri-'tA-n&r
Function: noun
Etymology: Anglo-French retener act of engaging or employing, from retener retenir to engage, retain
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
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: re·tain·er
Pronunciation: ri-'tAn-&r
Function: noun
1 : the part of a dental replacement (as a bridge) by which it ismade fast to adjacent natural teeth
2 : a dental appliance used to hold teeth in their correct position following orthodontic treatment
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
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
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