Retinue

Retinue

A retinue is a body of persons "retained" in the service of a noble or royal personage, a "suite" (literal French meanings: what follows) of "retainers."

Etymology

The word, recorded in English since circa 1375, stems from Old French "retenue", itself from "retenir" also meaning 'to employ', from Latin "retenere", hold back, retain.

Employment

Such retainers were not necessarily in the domestic service or otherwise normally close to the presence of their lord, but also include others who wore his livery (a kind of uniform, in distinctive colours) and claimed his protection, such as musicians and private teachers.

Some were a source of trouble and abuse in the 15th and early 16th century. Often their real importance was very different from their rank: on one hand, sinecures and supernumerary appointments allowed enjoying benefits without performing full service. On the other hand, 'having the ear' of the master can allow one to act as a confidant in an informal capacity; or in some cases, even as a spy under the guise of an innocent musician.

*Sometimes used in the context meaning the supporters or followers of a medieval knight.

Contrast

A retinue is sometimes confused with an "entourage", which is the far less stable body of people that followed whether or not they were - or claimed to be - retained or protected by the prominent person they served.

For example, a prince's entourage would not only include professional courtiers, but also various bishops, clerics and other clerks, senior members of the aristocracy and other more occasional advisers, translators etcetera, who would often not be part of a sovereign's (more permanent) retinue, even though that could comprise a surprising variety of functions, from menial to lofty.

ee also

*The Roman Cohors amicorum was rather similar, and this use of the word "cohort" (derived from a battalion-size military unit) for a dignitary's 'friends' was the root of the Italian word "corte" 'court', which via the French "cortège" gave rise to cortege, which can also mean a train of attendants.
*Manrent, a Scottish clan bond.

ources

*1911

External links

* [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=retinue&searchmode=none EtymologyOnLine]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу
Synonyms:
, , , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Retinue — Ret i*nue, n. [OE. retinue, OF. retinue, fr. retenir to retain, engage, hire. See {Retain}.] The body of retainers who follow a prince or other distinguished person; a train of attendants; a suite. [1913 Webster] Others of your insolent retinue.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • retinue — (n.) late 14c., from O.Fr. retenue group of followers, state of service, lit. that which is retained, from fem. pp. of retenir to employ, to retain, hold back (see RETAIN (Cf. retain)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • retinue — ► NOUN ▪ a group of advisers or assistants accompanying an important person. ORIGIN from Old French retenir keep back, retain …   English terms dictionary

  • retinue — [ret′ n o͞o΄, ret′ nyo͞o΄] n. [ME retenue < OFr, fem. of retenu, pp. of retenir: see RETAIN] a body of assistants, followers, or servants attending a person of rank or importance; train of attendants or retainers …   English World dictionary

  • retinue — ret|i|nue [ˈretınju: US nu:] n [Date: 1300 1400; : Old French; Origin: retenir; RETAIN] a group of people who travel with someone important to help and support them retinue of ▪ He travelled with a huge retinue of servants …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • retinue — [14] A retinue is etymologically ‘that which is retained’. The word was borrowed from Old French retenue, the feminine past participle of retenir ‘keep, restrain’ (source of English retain [14]). This in turn went back via Vulgar Latin *retenēre… …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • retinue — [[t]re̱tɪnjuː, AM nuː[/t]] retinues N COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of n An important person s retinue is the group of servants, friends, or assistants who go with them and look after their needs. Mind trainers are now as much a part of a tennis… …   English dictionary

  • retinue — UK [ˈretɪnjuː] / US [ˈret(ə)nˌu] noun [countable] Word forms retinue : singular retinue plural retinues a group of people who travel with and look after an important or rich person …   English dictionary

  • retinue — [14] A retinue is etymologically ‘that which is retained’. The word was borrowed from Old French retenue, the feminine past participle of retenir ‘keep, restrain’ (source of English retain [14]). This in turn went back via Vulgar Latin *retenēre… …   Word origins

  • retinue — retinued, adj. /ret n ooh , yooh /, n. a body of retainers in attendance upon an important personage; suite. [1325 75; ME retinue < MF, n. use of fem. ptp. of retenir to RETAIN] * * * …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”