detain
Use Detain in a sentence
verb (used with object)
1.
to keep from proceeding; keep waiting; delay.
2.
to keep under restraint or in custody.
3.
Obsolete. to keep back or withhold, as from a person.
Origin:
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
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
Related forms
de·tain·a·ble, adjective
de·tain·ment, noun
pre·de·tain, verb (used with object)
un·de·tain·a·ble, adjective
un·de·tained, adjective
Synonyms
1. retard, stop, slow, stay, check.
1. retard, stop, slow, stay, check.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To detain
00:10
Detain
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is lollygag. Does it mean:
| to introduce subtleties into or argue subtly about. |
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
detain (dɪˈteɪn) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to delay; hold back; stop |
| 2. | to confine or hold in custody; restrain |
| 3. | archaic to retain or withhold |
| [C15: from Old French detenir, from Latin dētinēre to hold off, keep back, from | |
| de'tainable | |
| —adj | |
| detainee | |
| —n | |
| de'tainment | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
detain
mid-15c., from M.Fr. detenir, from O.Fr. detenir "to hold off, keep back" (12c.), from L. detinere "hold off, keep back," from de- "from, away" + tenere "to hold" (see tenet). Related: Detainee (1928).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Do not attempt to arrest or detain these individuals yourself.
The draft bill will make it easier to detain people with a mental disorder who pose a threat to others.
Lee hoped this would detain me a few days longer and give him an opportunity of escape.
All you have to do is to dissolve organizations and societies and banish and detain the key political workers in these societies.
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