detain
pronunciation
How to pronounce detain in British English:
UK [dɪˈteɪn]
How to pronounce detain in American English:
US [dɪˈteɪn]
-
- Verb:
- deprive of freedom; take into confinement
- stop or halt
- cause to be slowed down or delayed
Word Origin
- detain (v.)
- early 15c., deteynen, from Old French detenir "to hold off, keep back" (12c.), from Latin detinere "hold off, keep back," from de- "from, away" (see de-) + tenere "to hold" (see tenet). Modern spelling is 17c., from influence of contain, retain, etc. Related: Detained; detaining.
Example
- 1. Instead , american forces are either killing them or letting less squeamish allies detain them .
- 2. London , uk : police officers detain a pro-tamil demonstrator during a protest in parliament square
- 3. Prosecutors interrogated the man on thursday , and the rebels said they planned to detain him , for now .
- 4. The isa 's sweeping powers permitted the police to detain suspects indefinitely .
- 5. The party 's disciplinary inspection committee can detain officials for long periods of time without charge or public explanation .