detain

present singular third person detains · participle present detaining · participle past detained · past detained

1. transitiveTo keep something from proceeding or coming to completion; to delay.

   Synonyms: delay, hinder, impede, retard

2. transitiveTo keep someone from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention.

   Synonyms: hold back

3. archaictransitiveTo keep back or from; to withhold.

   Detain not the wages of the hireling: […]

   1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, “Of Christian Justice”, in The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Francis Ashe […], →OCLC, section III (Of Negotiation, or Civil Contracts), page 208

   1 more example

   Upon which account ’tis that the Juice of ripe pulpy Apples, as Pippins, Rennetings, &c. that are of a ſyrupy tenacious nature, do detain in them more of the diſperſed particles of the Fruit that by the Preſſure comes out with the Liquor; […]

   1707, J[ohn] Mortimer, “Some Observations Relating to Cyder”, in The Whole Art of Husbandry; or, The Way of Managing and Improving of Land. […], London: […] J[ohn] H[umphreys] for H[enry] Mortlock […], and J[onathan] Robinson […], →OCLC, page 594

4. transitivegovernmentTo put someone under custody.

   1 more example

   In April of 2009, however, the disease was found to suddenly no longer be appearing in newly-hatched chickens, and, upon review, it was discovered that Dr. Wildcat had modified 6002 without authorization, removing the disease from the genome. She's detained and questioned by Muller, and, even though she tries to lie that she didn't do anything, they have footage of her ascending the tree on her own.

   2021 August 16, “Exploring the SCP Foundation: SCP-6002 - All Creatures Great and Small” (19:06 from the start), in The Exploring Series, archived from the original on 10 Jan 2023

5. transitiveTo seize goods for official purposes.