detain Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb deprive of freedom; take into confinement
confine.
verb stop or halt
delay; stay.
- Please stay the bloodshed!
verb cause to be slowed down or delayed
delay; hold up.
- Traffic was delayed by the bad weather
- she delayed the work that she didn't want to perform

F. détenir, L. detinere, detentum; de + tenere to hold. See Tenable.

imperfect & past participle Detained ; present participle & verbal noun Detaining

To keep back or from; to withhold.
Detain not the wages of the hireling. Jer. Taylor.
To restrain from proceeding; to stay or stop; to delay; as, we were detained by an accident.
Let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee. Judges xiii. 15.
To hold or keep in custody. Syn. -- To withhold; retain; stop; stay; arrest; check; retard; delay; hinder.