retinue

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 26, 2024 is: retinue \RET-uh-noo\ noun A retinue is a group of helpers, supporters, or followers. // The venue relies on a retinue of workers to carry out large events. [See the entry >](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retinue) Examples: "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](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retain) or keep in one's pay or service." Another retenir descendant is [retainer](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/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](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suite) or [entourage](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entourage), two other words that come from French.