2 entries under this word

Detainer

De-tāin'der, n.

noun

n. (Law.) A writ. See DETINUE.

De-tāin'er, n.

noun

n. 1. One who detains. 2. (Law.) (a.) The keeping possession of what belongs to another; detention of what is another's, even though the original taking may have been lawful. (b.) (Eng. Law.) A writ authorizing the keeper of a prison to continue to keep a person in custody.