Detain

de-tan', v. [-TAiNED(-tand'), -taining.1 To keep back or from, restrain from proceeding, hold in custody, arrest, check, delay, hinder. [OF. detenir, L. detinere, -tentum, de and tenere, to hold.] — Detain'er, n. One who detains. (Law.) Detention of what another's, even when the original taking was lawful. (Eng. Law.) A writ authorizing a prison-keeper to keep a person in custody. — Detain'ment, n. Act of detaining. — Detain' der, n. (Law.) A writ. — Det'inue, -T-nu, n. A person or thing detained. [OF.] — Detent', n. (Mech.) That which locks or unlocks a movement, as wheelwork in a clock. [OF. detente.] — Deten'tion, n. Act of, or state of being, etc.; restraint; delay. [OF.]