Detain, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Detained; p. pr. & vb. n. Detaining.]
Etymology: [F. détenir, 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.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Detain, n.
Detention. [Obs.] Spenser.