detainer Hear it!

detainer definition

de·tainer (dē tān′ər, di-)

noun

  1. a person or thing that detains

  2. Etymology: Anglo-Fr detener, inf. used as n. < OFr detenir: see detain

    Law
    1. the unlawful withholding of land or goods from the rightful owner
    2. the detention of a person without the person's consent
    3. a writ for continuing to hold a person already in custody

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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