detain Copy link Outline 1. tĕneo, ui, ntum, 22. rĕtĭneo, 2 (to keep from going on)3. dētĭneo, 2 (more usu. to occupy, engage)4. tardo, rĕtardo, 1 • detain: 1. tĕneo, ui, ntum, 2: I was d.'d at Rome by my Tullia's confinement, tenuit me Romae Tulliae meae partus, Cic.: I will not d. you further, non tenebo te pluribus, Cic. 2. rĕtĭneo, 2 (to keep from going on): unless they have already set out, you will d. the men, nisi jam profecti sunt, retinebis homines, Cic.: v. to hold back. 3. dētĭneo, 2 (more usu. to occupy, engage): I was d.'d by illness, morbus me detinuit, Ter. 4. tardo, rĕtardo, 1: v. to delay. See also CUSTODY (TO KEEP IN).