Main Entry: ¹re·tain·er

Pronunciation: \ri-ˈtā-nər\

Function: noun

Date: 1540

1 a : a person attached or owing service to a household; especially : servant b : employee
2 : one that retains
3 : a device or structure that holds something in place: as a : the part of a dental replacement (as a bridge) by which it is made fast to adjacent natural teeth b : a dental appliance used to hold teeth in correct position especially following orthodontic treatment