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   detain

   /dɪˈteɪn/

   verb

   • 1. keep (someone) from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention: "she made to open the door, but he detained her" Similar delayhold upmake lateretardkeep (back)slow upslow downset backget bogged downhinderhamperimpedeobstruct
   • ▪ keep (someone) in official custody, typically for questioning about a crime or in a politically sensitive situation: "she was detained without trial for two years"
   • ▪ officially seize and hold (goods): "customs officers may detain goods for up to two days" Similar holdtake into custodyput into custodyplace in custodyremand in custodyhold in custodykeep in custodytake (in)seizeconfineimprisonlock upput in jailput behind barsincarcerateimpoundinternrestrainarrestapprehendinformal:pick uprun inpull inhaul incopbustnabnaildocollarfeel someone's collarnickpinchOpposite release

   Word Origin late Middle English (in the sense ‘be afflicted with sickness or infirmity’): from Old French detenir, from a variant of Latin detinere, from de- ‘away, aside’ + tenere ‘to hold’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. detainment noun

   Scrabble Points: 7

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • T

     1

   • A

     1

   • I

     1

   • N

     1

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