Associations to the word «Detain»

Wiktionary

DETAIN, verb. Keep (someone) from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention.
DETAIN, verb. (transitive) To put under custody.
DETAIN, verb. (transitive) To keep back or from; to withhold.

Dictionary definition

DETAIN, verb. Deprive of freedom; take into confinement.
DETAIN, verb. Stop or halt; "Please stay the bloodshed!".
DETAIN, verb. Cause to be slowed down or delayed; "Traffic was delayed by the bad weather"; "she delayed the work that she didn't want to perform".

Wise words

In words, as fashions, the same rule will hold; Alike fantastic, if too new, or old: Be not the first by whom the new are tried, Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.
Alexander Pope