detain
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.de·tain
transitive verb \di-ˈtān, dē-\Definition of DETAIN
1
: to hold or keep in or as if in custody <detained by the police for questioning>
2
obsolete : to keep back (as something due) : withhold
3
: to restrain especially from proceeding <was detained by a flat tire>
— de·tain·ment \-mənt\ noun
Examples of DETAIN
- They were detained by the police for questioning.
- He claimed he had been illegally detained.
- Unexpected business had detained her.
Origin of DETAIN
Middle English deteynen, from Anglo-French deteign-, stem of detenir, modification of Latin detinēre, from de- + tenēre to hold — more at thin
First Known Use: 15th century
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