retainer etymology

Etymology

The word "retainer" comes from the Middle English word "retenour," which is derived from the Old French word "retenir," meaning "to hold back, keep, or retain."

Meaning

A retainer is:

• Legal: A sum of money paid in advance to secure the services of a lawyer or other professional.
• Feudal: A fee or payment made to a vassal, servant, or follower to ensure their loyalty and service.
• Musical: A part of an orchestra that plays only as needed, typically for reinforcement.

Origin

The feudal use of the term "retainer" originated in the Middle Ages, when lords would pay knights and other followers to be ready to fight for them in case of war. These retainers were often given land or other payment in exchange for their loyalty and service.

Over time, the term "retainer" was extended to include lawyers and other professionals who were paid in advance to ensure their services. In the 20th century, the term was also applied to musicians who were not permanent members of an orchestra but played only as needed.

retainer relate terms

• retain

  Etymology Retain is derived from the Latin word retinere meaning to hold back ke

• waiver

  Etymology Middle English weyver from Anglo Norman French weyver from Old Norman Fren

• waive

  Etymology Old French waiver weyver Late Latin waiviare Frankish waihan to abandon

• disclaimer

  Etymology and Meaning The word disclaimer has its origins in the Latin term disclamat

• merger

  Etymology The word merger is derived from the Middle English word mergen meaning t

• rejoinder

  Etymology From Middle French rejoindre from Old French rejoignier from Late Latin rej

• misnomer

  Etymology The word misnomer is derived from two Latin words mis meaning wrong or

• ouster

  Etymology The word ouster comes from the Old French word oster meaning to take awa

• retainer

  Etymology The word retainer comes from the Middle English word retenour which is der

• attainder

  Etymology and Meaning Origin Old French ateindre to arrive at to reach Meaning A

• consideration

  Etymology Origin Latin considerare meaning to view attentively ponder reflect Ro

• servant

  Etymology The word servant derives from the Old French word serjant meaning attend

• vassal

  Etymology Old French vassal Late Latin vassallus servant household serf Possibly fr

• heriot

  Etymology The word heriot is derived from the following Germanic roots Old English

• official

  Etymology Official is derived from the Middle French word official which in turn come

• clientele

  Etymology French clientèle Latin cliens entis client dependent Meaning A bod

• officer

  Etymology The word officer is derived from the Old French word officier which in tu

• domestic

  Etymology The word domestic comes from the Latin word domus meaning house or hous

• familiar

  Etymology Latin familiaris from familia meaning household Proto Indo European dʰh

• scullion

  Etymology of Scullion The word scullion comes from Old French escouillon meaning