retainer
UK/ri'teinә/US
GREB1
Definitions
n.
A fee paid in advance to secure someone's services
预付聘金；定金
n.
A wire device worn to keep teeth in position
牙齿保持器
n.
(old use) A servant or follower kept by a household
（旧时）家臣；侍从
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedretain + -er = a thing or person 'kept on.' All three senses are about keeping: a retainer fee keeps a lawyer available, a dental retainer keeps teeth in place, and a loyal retainer was a servant kept by a noble household.
Root tain still carries 87 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.pay a retainer支付聘金
- 2.on retainer受聘待命
- 3.dental retainer牙齿保持器
- 4.monthly retainer每月聘金
Example Sentences
- 1.
The firm pays its consultant a monthly retainer.
- 2.
She has to wear a retainer at night after her braces came off.