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
OTHER WORDS FROM detain
Words nearby detain
Example sentences from the Web for detainment
British Dictionary definitions for detainment
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, nounWord Origin for detain
C15: from Old French
detenir, from Latin
dētinēre to hold off, keep back, from
de- +
tenēre to hold