Associations to the word «Detain»

Wiktionary

DETAIN, verb. Keep (someone) from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention.
DETAIN, verb. (transitive) To put under custody.
DETAIN, verb. (transitive) To keep back or from; to withhold.

Dictionary definition

DETAIN, verb. Deprive of freedom; take into confinement.
DETAIN, verb. Stop or halt; "Please stay the bloodshed!".
DETAIN, verb. Cause to be slowed down or delayed; "Traffic was delayed by the bad weather"; "she delayed the work that she didn't want to perform".

Wise words

Words, words, words! They shut one off from the universe. Three quarters of the time one's never in contact with things, only with the beastly words that stand for them.
Aldous Huxley