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.
The DE-TRAIN won't let you leave the train!
Detain the person, retain what they contain!
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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
Synonyms
Antonyms
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