De*tain" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Detained (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Detaining.] [F. d'etenir, 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.

© Webster 1913.

De*tain", n.

Detention.

Spenser.

© Webster 1913.