Dē'ti-nūe, n.

(Synop. § 130), n. [O. Fr. detinue, detenue, from detenir, to detain, p. p. detenu. See DETAIN.] A person or thing detained.

Writ of detinue (Law), one that lies against him who wrongfully detains goods or chattels delivered to him, or in his possession, to recover the thing itself, or its value and damages, from the detainer. It is now in a great measure superseded by other remedies.