one who, or that which, retains.-one who is retained or kept in service; an attendant; an adherent; a hanger-on.-hence, a servant, not a domestic, but occasionally attending and wearing his master's livery.-the act of a client by which he engages a lawyer or counselor to manage his cause.-the act of withholding what one has in his hands by virtue of some right.-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.-the act of keeping dependents, or the state of being in dependence.