Main Entry:

de·tain

Pronunciation:

\di-ˈtān, dē-\

Function:

transitive verb

Etymology:

Middle English deteynen, from Anglo-French deteign-, stem of detenir, modification of Latin detinēre, from de- + tenēre to hold — more at thin

Date:

15th century

1: to hold or keep in or as if in custody <detained by the police for questioning>2obsolete : to keep back (as something due) : withhold3: to restrain especially from proceeding <was detained by a flat tire>

synonyms see keep, delay

— de·tain·ment \-mənt\ noun