detain

 
Pronunciation: /dɪˈteɪn/

verb

[with object]
  • keep (someone) from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention: she made to open the door, but he detained her
  • keep (someone) in official custody, typically for questioning about a crime or in a politically sensitive situation: she was detained without trial for two years
  • officially seize and hold (goods): customs officers may detain goods for up to two days

Derivatives

detainment

noun

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'be afflicted with sickness or infirmity'): from Old French detenir, from a variant of Latin detinere, from de- 'away, aside' + tenere 'to hold'