detain

Where does the word "detain" come from? It comes from Latin detinere, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Detain’s story begins in Latin: detinere meant “to hold back, to withhold.” To hold back, to withhold, from de- (away) and tenere (to hold). It reached English by 1400s as detain. Settled as the English word for keeping someone from proceeding, or holding them in custody. Today, detain means to keep someone from proceeding, or to officially hold them in custody.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient detinere "to hold back, to withhold", to hold back, to withhold, from de- (away) and tenere (to hold).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s detain "to keep someone from proceeding, or to hold them in custody", settled as the English word for keeping someone from proceeding, or holding them in custody.