detain

[dih-teyn]

See more synonyms for detain on Thesaurus.com

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

Related formsde·tain·a·ble, adjectivede·tain·ment, nounpre·de·tain, verb (used with object)un·de·tain·a·ble, adjectiveun·de·tained, adjective

Synonyms

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1. retard, stop, slow, stay, check.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for detainment

Contemporary Examples

While many are outraged at the detainment of Django Unchained actress Daniele Watts, not all are shocked.
The Ongoing Stigma of Interracial Dating
Keli Goff
September 15, 2014
Her detainment seems to have strengthened her determination.
Teen Activist Speaks Out On Rape In Syria’s Prisons
Kristin Deasy
March 10, 2013
See the latest updates, including the detainment of three U.S. students.
Egypt's Army Vows Speedy Power Transfer
November 21, 2011
Given the detainment of journalists in Libya, will that deter other journalists from heading into dangerous zones?
March 20: 7 Best Moments From Sunday Talk
The Daily Beast Video
March 20, 2011
She disputed news reports suggesting that Assange was living in fear of arrest or detainment by U.S. authorities.
Pentagon Snubs Leaker's Lawyers
Philip Shenon
June 18, 2010

Historical Examples

By 13th October the detainment of this new Army was in full progress west and south-west of Brussels.
Ypres 1914
Otto Schwink
He had been certain what the purpose of the detainment was, and who the inspector would be, yet he had not really been worried.
Star Surgeon
Alan Nourse

British Dictionary definitions for detainment

detain

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

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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for detainment

detain

v.

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.

detain

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Synonyms

Related Words

Examples from the Web for detainment

Contemporary Examples

While many are outraged at the detainment of Django Unchained actress Daniele Watts, not all are shocked.

Her detainment seems to have strengthened her determination.

See the latest updates, including the detainment of three U.S. students.

Given the detainment of journalists in Libya, will that deter other journalists from heading into dangerous zones?

She disputed news reports suggesting that Assange was living in fear of arrest or detainment by U.S. authorities.

Historical Examples

By 13th October the detainment of this new Army was in full progress west and south-west of Brussels.

He had been certain what the purpose of the detainment was, and who the inspector would be, yet he had not really been worried.

detain

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for detainment

detain

v.

Origin of detain