detain

[ dih-teyn ]
/ dɪˈteɪn /

verb (used with object)

to keep from proceeding; keep waiting; delay.
to keep under restraint or in custody.
Obsolete. to keep back or withhold, as from a person.

Origin of detain

1480–90; detainen < Anglo-French, Old French detenir < Vulgar Latin *dētenīre, for Latin dētinēre, equivalent to dē- de- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre to hold

SYNONYMS FOR detain

1 retard, stop, slow, stay, check.

OTHER WORDS FROM detain

Words nearby detain

detail, detail drawing, detailed, detailer, detailing, detain, detainee, detainer, detect, detection, detective

British Dictionary definitions for detainable

detain
/ (dɪˈteɪn) /

verb (tr)

to delay; hold back; stop
to confine or hold in custody; restrain
archaic to retain or withhold

Derived forms of detain

detainable, adjective detainee (ˌdiːteɪˈniː), noun detainment, noun

Word Origin for detain

C15: from Old French detenir, from Latin dētinēre to hold off, keep back, from de- + tenēre to hold