DETAIN


Meaning of DETAIN in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ di-ˈtān, dē- ]

transitive verb

Etymology: Middle English deteynen, from Anglo-French deteign-, stem of detenir, modification of Latin detinēre, from de- + tenēre to hold — more at thin

Date: 15th century

1. : to hold or keep in or as if in custody

detain ed by the police for questioning

2. obsolete : to keep back (as something due) : withhold

3. : to restrain especially from proceeding

was detain ed by a flat tire

Synonyms: see keep , delay

• de·tain·ment -mənt noun

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.