1. (n.) One who, or that which, retains.

2. (n.) One who is retained or kept in service; an attendant; an adherent; a hanger-on.

3. (n.) Hence, a servant, not a domestic, but occasionally attending and wearing his master's livery.

4. (n.) The act of a client by which he engages a lawyer or counselor to manage his cause.

5. (n.) The act of withholding what one has in his hands by virtue of some right.

6. (n.) 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.

7. (n.) The act of keeping dependents, or the state of being in dependence.

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