detain in English
- detain⇄adv. detainingly.
- detain⇄detain, transitive verb.
1. to keep from going; hold back; delay; retard.
Ex. The heavy traffic detained us for almost an hour. I was detained ... partly by the rain, and partly by company that I liked very much (William Cobbett).
2. to
detain in Marathi मराठी
detain in Sindhi سنڌي
detain in Tamil தமிழ்
detain in Telugu తెలుగు
Detain
Part of Speech
Verb
Pronunciation
/dɪˈteɪn/
Definitions
- (Verb) To keep someone in custody or under restraint, typically for legal reasons.
- (Verb) To delay or prevent someone from leaving or proceeding with their plans.
- (Verb) To hold back or keep from proceeding for a period of time.
Usage Examples
- The police detained the suspect for questioning after the robbery.
- The storm detained us at the airport for several hours.
- They were detained at the border due to a paperwork issue.
Etymology
The word "detain" comes from the Old French word "détener," meaning "to hold back" or "to detain," which itself comes from Latin "detinere," meaning "to hold back" (from "de-" meaning "away" and "tenere" meaning "to hold"). The word has been used in English since the late 14th century with the meaning of holding someone or something in restraint.
Synonyms
- Restrain
- Confine
- Hold
- Arrest
- Delay
Antonyms
- Release
- Free
- Liberate
- Unbind
- Let go
Translations
Major Global Languages
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| French | Détenir | /detəˈneɾ/ |
| Spanish | Detener | /deteˈneɾ/ |
| German | Festhalten | /ˈfɛstˌhaltən/ |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 拘留 | /jūliú/ |
| Russian | Задерживать | /zɐˈdʲerʐɪvətʲ/ |
Indian Languages
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hindi | रोकना | /roknā/ |
| Telugu | తట్టు పెట్టు | /taṭṭu peṭṭu/ |
| Tamil | கட்டுப்படுத்து | /kaṭṭupaṭuttu/ |
| Kannada | ತಡೆಯಿರಿ | /taḍeyiri/ |
| Bengali | বাধা দেয়া | /baˈdʰa deˈa/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- British English: /dɪˈteɪn/
- American English: /dɪˈteɪn/
- Australian English: /dɪˈteɪn/
- Indian English: /dɪˈteɪn/
Historical Usage
The word "detain" has been used in English since the 14th century, with its earliest uses referring to the act of holding something or someone back, typically in the context of legal or military matters. During the 16th century, it was used more widely to describe the action of holding a person in custody or preventing their departure. Over time, "detain" has also come to include the meaning of delaying or hindering someone or something, not just in a legal or formal sense but in everyday contexts as well.
Cultural Nuances
The concept of detaining someone is influenced by cultural and legal norms. In societies where individual rights are highly valued, detention is seen as a serious legal measure, often requiring a warrant or due process. In contrast, in cultures with less emphasis on personal freedoms, detaining someone might be seen as a less formal action, sometimes conducted without significant legal oversight. In many cultures, detention is associated with law enforcement and criminal justice systems, though the term can also be used in non-legal contexts, such as travel delays or in educational settings.
More Information
Detention refers to the action of holding or restraining someone or something, typically for legal, security, or administrative reasons. While the term is most commonly associated with the legal system, where individuals may be detained for questioning or under arrest, it can also refer to situations in which a person or object is temporarily held back or delayed. In law enforcement, detention is a crucial part of ensuring that individuals involved in criminal activity are questioned or kept under supervision until legal proceedings can occur. The word is also used in broader contexts, such as detaining a flight due to weather or security issues. Understanding the nuances of the term is important in both legal and everyday contexts.