detention English · revision 10810

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1443|origins=frm détention|origins=la-lat detentio}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /dɪˈten.ʃən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|détention]] and directly from Late Latin dētentiō, retention,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from dētinēre, to hold back (see [[detain]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A holding back or withholding of something due: 1443 in Barnhart, the mid-15th century in Etymonline;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) 1552 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Confinement or arrest appeared about 1570, in a reference to the captivity of Mary, Queen of Scots.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) Keeping a pupil in after school as a punishment is from 1882.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023) ''Detention centre'' is a modern compound.^(Roach et al. 2011)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1443 – a withholding.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1570 – confinement, arrest.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1882 – school detention.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act of [[detain|alt=detaining]], or the state of being held in custody.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A punishment in which a pupil is kept in school after hours.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+ # A forced delay.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nondetention]]

+ * [[predetention]]

+ * [[detention home]]

+ * [[house of detention]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[detain]]

+ * [[retain]]

+ * [[contain]]

+ * [[tenant]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}