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>
2 obsolete : to keep back (as something due) : withhold
3 : to restrain especially from proceeding <was detained by a flat tire>

synonyms see keep, delay

— de·tain·ment \-mənt\ noun