Main Entry:

cus·to·dy

Pronunciation:

\ˈkəs-tə-dē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural cus·to·dies

Etymology:

Middle English custodie, from Latin custodia guarding, from custod-, custos guardian

Date:

15th century

: immediate charge and control (as over a ward or a suspect) exercised by a person or an authority ; also : safekeeping