retinue

[ ret-n-oo, -yoo ]

noun

1. a body of retainers in attendance upon an important personage; suite.

retinue

/ ˈrɛtɪˌnjuː /

noun

1. a body of aides and retainers attending an important person, royalty, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈretiˌnued, adjective

Other Words From

• reti·nued adjective
• un·reti·nued adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of retinue¹

1325–75; Middle English retinue < Middle French, noun use of feminine past participle of retenir to retain

Word History and Origins

Origin of retinue¹

C14: from Old French retenue , from retenir to retain

Example Sentences

None of the hostages Sinwar was believed to be using as a human shield were present and his small retinue suggests either he was trying to move unnoticed, or had lost many of those protecting him.

From BBC

The resulting decision comes in a pinnacle moment when Mariko tries to lead her retinue out of Osaka only to be stopped by castle guards.

From Los Angeles Times

Count Philip of Flanders would often arrive at the lists with his retinue and publicly declare his intention to spectate rather than fight.

From Salon

The King of the Belgians alone was accompanied by a retinue of forty mice, and he was but one king among many.

From Literature

The yawning discrepancy in the appraisals is only the latest twist in the strange saga of Indiana’s last years on Vinalhaven, where he lived alone but was tended to by a retinue of helpers.

From New York Times

Related Words

• entourage