Cŭs'to-dy, n.

n. [Lat. custodia, from custos, guard; Fr. custodie, Pr., Sp., Pg., & It. custodia.] 1. A keeping or guarding; care, watch, inspection, for keeping, preservation, or security, especially, judicial or penal safe-keeping. Jailer, take him to thy custody. Shak. 2. The condition or relation which results from custody; restraint of liberty; confinement; imprisonment. What peace will be given To us enslaved, but custody severe, And stripes, and arbitrary punishment? Milton. 3. Defense from a foe; preservation; security. There was prepared a fleet of thirty ships for the custody of the narrow seas. Bacon.