noun.
One who or that which retains.
noun.
One who is kept in service; a dependent; an attendant; especially, a follower who wears his master's livery, but ranks higher than a domestic.
noun.
A sutler, camp-follower, or any person serving with an army who, though not enlisted, is subject to orders according to the rules and articles of war.
noun.
One who is connected with or frequents a certain place; an attendant.
noun.
The act of retaining dependents; entrance into service as a retainer; the state of being a retainer.
noun.
That by which a person's services are secured; a fee.
noun.
Specifically, in law:
noun.
Same as retaining fee (which see, under fee).
noun.
An authority given to an attorney or a solicitor to proceed in an action
noun.
The unlawful taking or detention of a known servant from his master during the period of service.
noun.
The act of an executor or administrator who is a creditor of the decedent, or whose estate he represents, in withholding from the fund so much as will pay what is due him: formerly allowed to be done even before any other creditors whose debts were of equal degree were paid.