"fee to secure services," mid-15c., originally "act of keeping for oneself" from retain, or perhaps from or influenced by Middle French retenir, infinitive used as a noun. Meaning "fee paid to an attorney to secure his services" is from 1818.
retainer (n.2)
"servant," 1530s, agent noun from retain (v.). Also "one who retains or holds" (1540s). Meaning "dental structure used to hold a bridge in place" is recorded from 1887.
实用例句
1. I found the gardener, a family retainer, morosely surveying the scene.
我发现这个园丁——家里一个服侍多年的仆人，愁眉苦脸地审视着这个场景。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Liz was being paid a regular monthly retainer.
利兹每月得到一笔预付金。
来自柯林斯例句
3. I'll need a five-hundred-dollar retainer.
我将收取500美元的定金。
来自柯林斯例句
4. The agency will pay you a monthly retainer.
这个机构将会每月付给你聘用金。
来自《权威词典》
5. Her arrival had just been announced by the faithful retainer.
