retainder
/rɪˈteɪndə/Now historical
noun
1 Law. The action or fact of retaining money, goods, or property for oneself; an instance of this.
2A token or badge given to a follower by a sovereign or noble as a sign of his retainership. Now rare ( historical after 16th cent.).
3Engagement of a person as a servant or follower; an instance of this. Also: maintenance by a sovereign or noble of a company of followers or dependants, who give (especially military) service in return for money, patronage, or protection.
- The system of retainder, or maintenance of a company of followers, grew out of feudalism in the late Middle Ages. Various statutes of Edward IV and Henry VII attempted to curb the practice, but it persisted until the late 16th cent..
Origin
Late Middle English. Either a variant or an alteration of retainer, probably after remainder. Compare also attainder.