Etymology of the English word detention
the English word
detentionderived from the Anglo-Norman word
detenciounderived from the Late Latin word
detentio (detention; detaining, keeping back)
derived from the Latin word
detentus (holding, keeping back; retention)
derived from the Latin word
detinere (detain, hold; hold off; hold, keep back; keep)
using the Late Latin prefix
de-derived from the Latin word
de (away; down)
derived from the Medieval Latin word
tenere (hold, keep; comprehend; represent; support)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*ten-Date
The earliest known usage of detention in English dates from the 16th century.
Usage
Word found in Modern English
