retinue

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A group of attendants or servants, especially of someone considered important.

   The queen’s retinues.

2. 2
   noun

   A group of warriors or nobles accompanying a king or other leader; comitatus.

   Then Igor looked up at the bright sun and saw all his warriors / darkened from it by a shadow. / And Igor said to his retinue: / “Brothers and companions! It is better to be slain than taken captive. / Mount, brothers, your swift horses that we may glimpse the Blue Don.”.

3. 3
   noun

   the group following and attending to some important person

4. 4
   noun

   A service relationship.

From Middle English retenue, from Old French retenue, past participle of retenir (“retain”). Doublet of ritenuto.

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