CUSTODY
hands, custody
(noun) (with âinâ) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child; âmy fate is in your handsâ; âtoo much power in the presidentâs handsâ; âyour guests are now in my custodyâ; âthe mother was awarded custody of the childrenâ
custody
(noun) holding by the police; âthe suspect is in custodyâ
detention, detainment, hold, custody
(noun) a state of being confined (usually for a short time); âhis detention was politically motivatedâ; âthe prisoner is on holdâ; âhe is in the custody of policeâ
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
custody (usually uncountable, plural custodies)
The legal right to take care of something or somebody, especially children.
Temporary possession or care of somebody else's property.
The state of being imprisoned or detained, usually pending a trial.
(Roman Catholicism) An area under the jurisdiction of a custos within the Order of Friars Minor.
Source: Wiktionary
Cus"to*dy (ks"t-d), n. Etym: [L. custodia, fr. custos guard; prob.
akin to Gr. hide. Seee Hide to cover.]
1. A keeping or guarding; care, watch, inspection, for keeping,
preservation, or security.
A fleet of thirty ships for the custody of the narrow seas. Bacon.
2. Judicial or penal safe-keeping.
Jailer, take him to thy custody. Shak.
3. State of being guarded and watched to prevent escape; restraint of
liberty; confinement; imprisonment.
What pease will be given To us enslaved, but custody severe, And
stripes and arbitrary punishment Milton.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition