Pronunciation: [dɪtˈe͡ɪnz] (IPA) 
The word "detains" (/dɪˈteɪnz/) is spelled with the letter combination "tain" which is pronounced as /teɪn/. This sound corresponds to the vowel diphthong /eɪ/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The initial consonant "d" is pronounced as /d/ and the final "s" is pronounced as /s/. "Detains" is the third person present tense of the verb "detain" which means to keep someone in custody or to prevent them from leaving.
Detains is a verb that refers to the act of holding or keeping someone or something in custody or restraining their freedom. The word entails temporarily restricting the movement, preventing someone from leaving a particular place, or delaying their planned departure. It typically involves withholding an individual against their will or confining an object or information for a specific period.
Detains can be used in a variety of contexts. In legal matters, it denotes the act of apprehending or keeping an individual under arrest, either as a suspect or for questioning. Law enforcement officers detain suspects to gather evidence, interrogate them, or formally file charges against them.
Moreover, detaining can occur at transportation checkpoints, border crossings, or in security-sensitive areas, where authorities may detain individuals for screening purposes to ensure safety and security. This practice is particularly common in airports, where passengers may undergo additional checks that result in temporary confinement.
Additionally, the term can be employed metaphorically to convey the idea of holding back or delaying someone or something. It can refer to the temporary restriction of an individual's liberty, such as detaining someone in a waiting room or detaining a student after class as a form of punishment.
In summary, detains involves the act of holding or restraining someone or something for a defined timeframe, often done for legal, security, or control purposes.
The word "detains" can be traced back to the Latin word "detinere", which is a combination of the prefix "de-" (meaning "down" or "away") and the verb "tenere" (meaning "to hold"). The Latin root emphasizes the concept of holding someone or something down or away. Over time, "detinere" evolved into Old French as "detenir" and later Middle English as "deteyne", eventually becoming "detains" in its modern form.
