-t ə nˌ(y)ü noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English detenewe, from Middle French detenue detention, from feminine of detenu, past participle of detenir to detain — more at detain
1. : detention of something due ; especially : the unlawful detention of a personal chattel from another
2. : a common-law action for the recovery of a personal chattel or its value wrongfully detained ; also : the writ used for this action — compare trover