detainer2 (detaner)

[OF. detener, inf. (used as a noun): see detain, v. Cf. retainer2.] In law: ( a ) A holding or keeping po e ion of what belongs to another; detention of what is another's, though the original taking may be lawful. It usually implies wrongfulne . (b) In Great Britain, a proce lodged with the sheriff authorizing him to continue to hold a person already in his custody; specifically, a writ by which a prisoner arrested at the suit of one creditor may be detained at the suit of another. - Forcible detainer. See forcible. detainmentt (dē-tan'ment), n. [ Concerning our surprise, detainment , and escape. R. Knox (Arber's Eng. Garner, I. 324). Though the original taking was lawful, any subsequent detainment of them after tender of amends is wrongful. Black stone .