[de.tain] vt [ME deteynen, fr. MF detenir, modif. of L detinere, fr. de- + tenere to hold--more at thin] (15c) 1: to hold or keep in or as if in custody
2. obs: to keep back (as something due): withhold
3: to restrain esp. from proceeding: stop syn see keep, delay -- de.tain.ment n