■ verb
1》 keep (someone) from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention.
2》 keep (someone) in official custody.
Derivatives
~ment noun
Origin
ME (in the sense 'be afflicted with sickness or infirmity'): from OFr. detenir , from a var. of L. detinere , from de- 'away, aside' + tenere 'to hold'.