detain — to keep someone from leaving or to delay someone
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to keep someone from leaving or to delay someone
Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈteɪn/
Example Sentences
- Sorry I'm late, my mom detained me with a 30-minute lecture about cleaning my room.
- The customs officer detained the passenger who had 20 bottles of hot sauce in his luggage.
- Security detained the man who tried to bring a watermelon through the metal detector.
detain
VERB[/dɪˈteɪn/]
to keep someone from leaving or to delay someone
Airport officers detain a nervous traveler for extra questioning at customs.
DE(away) + TAIN(hold) — by using handcuffs to TAIN(hold) him DE(away) from the crowd, the police completely detained the suspect.
While he was rushing to catch the departing train, the station guards suddenly grabbed him to detain him for questioning.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old French 'detenir', derived from Latin 'detinere', composed of the prefix 'de-' (away, from) and 'tenere' (to hold, keep).
Breakdown
de- (away, from) + tain (from Latin tenere, to hold) = detain
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Sorry I'm late, my mom detained me with a 30-minute lecture about cleaning my room.”
“The customs officer detained the passenger who had 20 bottles of hot sauce in his luggage.”
“Security detained the man who tried to bring a watermelon through the metal detector.”
“The authorities may detain travelers who cannot provide proper documentation.”
📚Related Words
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