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Detaining: meaning, definitions and examples

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detaining

 

[ dɪˈteɪnɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

law enforcement

Detaining refers to the act of holding someone in custody, typically by law enforcement, for a limited period of time. This may happen during investigations or prior to formal charges being filed. Detention does not imply that a person is guilty of a crime; rather, it is a temporary measure pending further legal proceedings.

Synonyms

arresting, confinement, custody, holding

Examples of usage

  • The police are detaining the suspect for questioning.
  • He was detained for several hours before being released.
  • Authorities can detain individuals during a national emergency.
  • Many immigrants have been detained in facilities pending their hearings.

Translations

Translations of the word "detaining" in other languages:

🇵🇹 detenção

🇮🇳 नज़रबंदी

🇩🇪 Festnahme

🇮🇩 penahanan

🇺🇦 затримання

🇵🇱 zatrzymanie

🇯🇵 拘留

🇫🇷 détention

🇪🇸 detención

🇹🇷 gözaltına alma

🇰🇷 구금

🇸🇦 احتجاز

🇨🇿 zadržení

🇸🇰 zadržiavanie

🇨🇳 拘留

🇸🇮 pridržanje

🇮🇸 fanga

🇰🇿 ұстау

🇬🇪 დაკავება

🇦🇿 həbs

🇲🇽 detención

Word origin

The term 'detaining' stems from the Middle French word 'detenir', which means 'to hold back or keep'. This word itself can be traced back to the Latin word 'detinere', composed of 'de-' meaning 'from' and 'tenere' meaning 'to hold'. As such, 'detain' carries the historical context of holding someone or something back or preventing someone from leaving. Over time, the term has evolved in its application, primarily associated with the legal system and law enforcement. While it retains its foundational meaning of holding or keeping, modern usage emphasizes the temporary nature of detention, especially in contexts related to criminal justice and immigration. As society increasingly emphasizes individual rights and freedoms, the term has also come to include discussions on the implications and ethics of detaining individuals without formal charges, reflecting ongoing legal and social debates.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,087, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.