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Definitions from the Web

Term: Detain someone

Definition:

To detain someone means to keep them in custody or under supervision, usually by legal or official authority, for a period of time.

Senses and Usages:

Sense 1 - Legal Detention:

In a legal context, to detain someone refers to the act of holding a person in custody, typically by law enforcement or other officials, due to suspicion of involvement in a crime.

Example sentence:

After the suspect was apprehended, the police decided to detain him for further questioning.

Sense 2 - Temporary Holding:

Detaining someone can also mean temporarily confining or holding a person for various reasons, such as ensuring their presence for investigation, preventing them from escaping, or maintaining security.

Example sentence:

The security personnel were instructed to detain any suspicious individuals until their identities were verified.

Sense 3 - Local Custom or Tradition:

In some cultures, detaining someone may also refer to the practice of keeping a person in a specific location or preventing them from leaving as part of a local custom or tradition.

Example sentence:

During the festival, it is customary in this village to detain visitors for a short time to show hospitality and ensure they have a memorable experience.