re·tain·er /ri-'tā-nər/ n [Anglo-French retener act of engaging or employing, from retener retenir to engage, retain]
1: the act of a client by which the services of a lawyer are engaged
2: a fee paid to a lawyer for advice or services or for a claim on services when needed
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.