De·tain v. t. [imp. & p. p. Detained p. pr. & vb. n. Detaining.]
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.