1.  detain(v = verb.social) confine - deprive of freedom; take into confinement;
Derived forms noun detainee₁, noun detention₂, noun detention₁
Sample sentences: They want to detain the prisoners

2.  detain(v = verb.change) delay, stay - stop or halt; "Please stay the bloodshed!"
is one way to check, delay, retard
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something

3.  detain(v = verb.change) delay, hold up - 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"
is one way to decelerate, retard, slow, slow down, slow up
Sample sentences: Somebody ----s something; Something ----s somebody; Something ----s something

detain, v.tr.
1 keep in confinement or under restraint.
2 keep waiting; delay.

Derivative:
detainment n.

Etymology:
ME f. OF detenir ult. f. L detinere detent- (as DE-, tenere hold)

VB  retain, keep, hold fast one's own, hold tight one's own, hold fast one's ground, hold tight one's ground, clinch, clench, clutch, grasp, gripe, hug, have a firm hold of, secure, withhold, detain, hold back, keep back, keep close, husband, reserve, have in stock, have on hand, keep in stock, entail, tie up, settle.