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.
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Nearby words
detail, detail drawing, detailed, detailer, detailing, detain, detainee, detainer, detect, detectable, detection
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
Related forms
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for detain
British Dictionary definitions for detain
detain
/ (dɪˈteɪn) /
verb (tr)
to delay; hold back; stop
to confine or hold in custody; restrain
archaic to retain or withhold
Derived Formsdetainable, adjectivedetainee (ˌdiːteɪˈniː), noundetainment, noun
Word Origin for detain
C15: from Old French detenir, from Latin dētinēre to hold off, keep back, from de- + tenēre to hold
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for detain
detain
early 15c., deteynen, from Old French detenir "to hold off, keep back" (12c.), from Latin detinere "hold off, keep back," from de- "from, away" (see de-) + tenere "to hold" (see tenet). Modern spelling is 17c., from influence of contain, retain, etc. Related: Detained; detaining.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper