† retenancen.

Etymology: < Anglo-Norman retenaunce, retinance, Anglo-Norman and Middle French retenance, Middle French retienence action of putting oneself at someone's service or of taking someone into one's own service (13th cent. in Old French), retinue, body of retainers (14th cent. in Anglo-Norman) < retenir retain v. + -ance -ance suffix. Compare Old Occitan retenensa (13th cent.). Compare retenant n.; some examples could perhaps instead be interpreted as showing the plural of that word.It is uncertain whether quot. 1905 at sense 1 shows later revival of the word, or an independent formation < retain v. + -ance suffix. Compare also the following example, in which the sense and construction are also different (compare retinue n. 2, and to (also at) (a person's) retenance at sense 2):1847 J. S. Stuart & C. E. Stuart Tales of Cent. ii. 122 The shadowy tartans of the piper, or some attendant Highlander, filled up the picture of feudal retainance.