Definition of detain

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de·tain    (d-tn) KEY 

TRANSITIVE VERB:
de·tained, de·tain·ing, de·tains

1. To keep from proceeding; delay or retard.
2. To keep in custody or temporary confinement: The police detained several suspects for questioning. The disruptive students were detained after school until their parents had been notified.
3. Obsolete To retain or withhold (payment or property, for example).

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English deteinen, from Old French detenir, from Vulgar Latin *dtenre, from Latin dtinre : d-, de- + tenre, to hold; see ten- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
de·tainment(Noun)