n.
Pronunciation: di- ' t ā -n ə r
Function: noun
Etymology: Anglo-French detenour, alteration of detenir
Date: 1619
1 : the act of keeping something in one's possession specifically : the withholding from the rightful owner of something that has lawfully come into the possession of the holder
2 : detention in custody
3 : a writ authorizing the keeper of a prison to continue to hold a person in custody