DETENTION

detention

(noun) a punishment in which a student must stay at school after others have gone home; “the detention of tardy pupils”

detention, detainment, hold, custody

(noun) a state of being confined (usually for a short time); “his detention was politically motivated”; “the prisoner is on hold”; “he is in the custody of police”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

detention (countable and uncountable, plural detentions)

(uncountable) The act of detaining or the state of being detained.

(countable) A temporary state of custody or confinement, especially of a prisoner awaiting trial, or of a student being punished.

(civil law) The bare physical control without the mental element of intention required for possession.

Source: Wiktionary

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De*ten"tion, n. Etym: [L. detentio: cf. F. détention. See Detain.]

1. The act of detaining or keeping back; a withholding.

2. The state of being detained (stopped or hindered); delay from necessity.

3. Confinement; restraint; custody. The archduke Philip . . . found himself in a sort of honorable detention at Henry's court. Hallam.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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