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.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
© Webster 1913.