De*tain", n. Detention.
[Obs.] Spenser.
De*tain" (dē*tān"), 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.
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.