GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Detain (dḗ‑tānˈ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Detained (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Detaining.] [F. détenir, L. detinere, detentum; de + tenere to hold. See Tenable.]
   1. To keep back or from; to withhold.
   
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   Detain not the wages of the hireling. Jer. Taylor.
   
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   2. To restrain from proceeding; to stay or stop; to delay; as, “we were detained by an accident”.
   
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   Let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee. Judges xiii. 15.
   
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   3. To hold or keep in custody.
   
   Syn. -- To withhold; retain; stop; stay; arrest; check; retard; delay; hinder.
   
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2.       
   Detain, n. Detention. [Obs.]  Spenser.
   
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