DETAIN


Meaning of DETAIN in English

/ dɪˈteɪn; NAmE / verb [ vn ]

1.

to keep sb in an official place, such as a police station, a prison or a hospital, and prevent them from leaving :

One man has been detained for questioning.

2.

( formal ) to delay sb or prevent them from going somewhere :

I'm sorry—he'll be late; he's been detained at a meeting.

—see also detention

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WORD ORIGIN

late Middle English (in the sense be afflicted with sickness or infirmity ): from Old French detenir , from a variant of Latin detinere , from de- away, aside + tenere to hold.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.