The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word RETAINER
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
R
E
T
A
I
N
E
R
More clues leading to the result RETAINER
- Servant who could be Eritrean
- Servant's fee paid in advance
- Fee covering coach but not car ultimately
- Old family servant’s / fee for continued employment
- Fee for long-standing servant
- Message of royalist who works in household maybe?
- Keep the queen’s long-term servant
- Volunteers to split control with the Queen’s servant
- Fantastic trainee beginning to recoup fee
- Servant‘s pay for help when needed
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "servant" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case servant = retainer.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does RETAINER mean?
RETAINER noun- Any thing or person that retains.
- A dependent or follower of someone of rank.
- A paid servant, especially one who has been employed for many years.
- A fee one pays to reserve the other's time for services.
- A device that holds teeth in position after orthodontic treatment.