WORD OF THE DAY: RETINUE
noun | RET-uh-noo
What It Means
A retinue is a group of helpers, supporters, or followers.
// The venue relies on a retinue of workers to carry out large events.
Examples of RETINUE
“Royal Island, a swanky Caribbean oasis in The Bahamas, awaits its next king or queen and their lucky retinue of family and friends.” — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 11 Jan. 2024
Did You Know?
Retinue comes via Middle English from the Anglo-French verb retenir, meaning “to retain or keep in one’s pay or service.” Another retenir descendant is retainer, which has among its meanings “one who serves a person of high position or rank.” In the 14th century, such retainers typically served a noble or royal of some kind, and retinue referred to a collection of retainers—that is, the noble’s servants and companions. Nowadays, the word retinue is often used with a bit of exaggeration to refer to the assistants, guards, publicists, and other people who accompany a high-profile individual in public. You might also hear such a collection of folks called a suite or entourage, two other words that come from French.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
