Definitions for: Detain

[v] cause to be slowed down or delayed; "Traffic was delayed by the bad weather"
[v] stop or halt; "Please stay the bloodshed!"
[v] deprive of freedom; take into confinement

Webster (1913) Definition: De*tain" (d[-e]*t[=a]n"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
Detained; p. pr. & vb. n. Detaining.] [F. d['e]tenir, L.
detinere, detentum; de + tenere to hold. See Tenable.]
1. To keep back or from; to withhold.

Detain not the wages of the hireling. --Jer. Taylor.

2. To restrain from proceeding; to stay or stop; to delay;
as, we were detained by an accident.

Let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a
kid for thee. --Judges xiii.
15.

3. To hold or keep in custody.

Syn: To withhold; retain; stop; stay; arrest; check; retard;
delay; hinder.

De*tain", n.
Detention. [Obs.] --Spenser.

Synonyms: confine, delay, hold up, stay

Antonyms: free, hurry, liberate, loose, release, rush, unloose, unloosen

See Also: bind over, buy time, cage, cage in, catch, check, decelerate, gaol, immure, imprison, incarcerate, jail, jug, keep, keep in, lag, put away, put behind bars, remand, retard, slow, slow down, slow up, stall, straiten, trap

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