Category:Retainer

Re*tain"er, n.

1. One who, or that which, retains.

2. One who is retained or kept in service; an attendant; an adherent; A hanger-on.

3. Hence, a servant, not a domestic, but occasionally attending and Wearing his master's livery. Cowell.

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.

5. The act of keeping dependents, or the state of being in Dependence. Bacon.