from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Retainer \Re*tain"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, retains.
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2. One who is retained or kept in service; an attendant; an
adherent; a hanger-on.
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3. Hence, a servant, not a domestic, but occasionally
attending and wearing his master's livery. --Cowell.
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4. (Law)
(a) The act of a client by which he engages a lawyer or
counselor to manage his cause.
(b) The act of withholding what one has in his hands by
virtue of some right.
(c) A fee paid to engage a lawyer or counselor to maintain
a cause, or to prevent his being employed by the
opposing party in the case; -- called also {retaining
fee}. --Bouvier. --Blackstone.
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5. The act of keeping dependents, or the state of being in
dependence. --Bacon.
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