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Retainer vs Flunkey - What's the difference?

retainer | flunkey | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between retainer and flunkey

is that retainer is a dependent or follower of someone of rank while flunkey is an underling; a contemptuous name for a liveried servant or a footman; servant, retainer – a person working in the service of another (especially in the household.

retainer

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A dependent or follower of someone of rank.
  • A paid servant, especially one who has been employed for many years.
  • Any thing or person that retains.
  • A fee one pays to reserve the other's time for services.
  • This lawyer charges a retainer for his work .
  • (dentistry): A device that holds teeth in position after orthodontic treatment.
  • See also

    * brace

    Anagrams

    * *

    flunkey

    English

    Alternative forms

    * flunkee * flunky

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • An underling; a contemptuous name for a liveried servant or a footman; servant, retainer – a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
  • * 1929 , Baldwyn Dyke Acland, Filibuster , Chapter 2
  • “One marble hall, with staircase complete, one to one ' flunkey , gloves to another, and there was the fourth poor blighter looking like an orphan at a Mothers' Meeting. …"
  • One who is obsequious or cringing; a snob.
  • One easily deceived in buying stocks; an inexperienced and unwary jobber. [Cant, U.S.]
  • Derived terms

    * flunkeydom * flunkeyish * flunkeyism

    See also

    * lackey (Webster 1913)