The word "retainer" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /rɪˈteɪnər/. This word is commonly used to describe a dental device that keeps teeth in their proper position after braces have been removed. The first syllable "re-" is pronounced with a short "e" sound, followed by a stress on the second syllable "tain". The ending "-er" is pronounced with a schwa sound that is not stressed. With this spelling and pronunciation, "retainer" is easily recognized and widely used in the dental industry.
A "retainer" refers to a sum of money or payment made to secure the services of a professional or service provider, typically on a regular or ongoing basis. It is a form of upfront payment that establishes a relationship between a client and a professional, ensuring that the professional's services are available whenever required.
In a legal context, a retainer is an amount of money paid by a client to a lawyer or law firm to hire their services and secure their availability for any legal matters that may arise. This payment allows the lawyer to reserve their expertise, time, and resources for the client. The retainer fee can be further used to cover legal expenses, research, and other costs associated with advising or representing the client.
Similarly, in a business context, a retainer is an upfront payment made by a client to a consultant, freelancer, or agency to engage their services. It signifies a commitment from the client that they will retain the professional's expertise or services for a specified period or as needed.
Retainers are common in various professional industries, such as marketing, public relations, graphic design, and healthcare. They are designed to establish a formal relationship between a client and a professional, ensuring that the professional's services are readily available whenever required and providing a sense of security and priority to the client.
An appliance for holding a loose tooth in position until it has become firm.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
An attendant; a servant; a hanger-on; a retaining fee to counsel.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "retainer" originated from Middle English in the early 14th century as "retenour", which came from the Old French word "retenir" meaning "to hold back, retain". This Old French term derived from the Latin word "retinere", which also means "to hold back, restrain". The Latin term consists of the prefix "re-" (meaning "back") and the verb "tenere" (meaning "to hold"). Over time, the term "retainer" came to refer to a person who is retained for service, loyalty, or employment, often by someone of higher social status.