A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Detene, Detein, v. Also: deteyne, deteene. [ME. deteyn (a 1440), AF. detener, OF. detenir.]
1. tr. To hinder from free action; to hamper. 1543 Reg. Morton II. 289.
The said Erle being … aigit occupyit and detenit with diverse maledeis in his persoun
2. To keep in custody or confinement. 1567 Reg. Privy C. I. 585.
As it is understand … how the thevis … hes taken sindry of thame and detenit thame as lauchfull presonaris a1578 Pitsc. I. 26/17.
The queine … was wardit also within the castell … , detenit thair and newer relaxit 1592 Misc. Spald. C. II. 120.
He haiffing alredy detenit the said Alexander men in his keping in fermance be the space of nyne oukis or thairby 1610 Highland P. III. 121.
He deteynis thame, [and] hes putt of his owne men in the ship 1614 Ib. 164.
For the relewe of my freindis … detenit now in irones 1621 Red Bk. Menteith II. 319.
To … keepe and deteene thame in sure firmance and captiuitie 1644 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 18.
Caireing of thame away, and deteining thame as captives and prisonersfig. c1590 J. Stewart 261 § 242.
That terrene caduct corps of thyne Thy saull deteins as in ane presoune thrall
b. To keep in a certain place or state. a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxxii. 17.
Thocht fortoun, fraude, or force Detein thé in dispence 1665 Blairs P. 60.
Our old man … haes euer been deteened in his bed since Christmesse
3. To hold back, delay. 1568 Pref. Lyndesay .
I will deteyne thé na langer … from the warkis thame selfis 1587 Warrender P. I. 175.
To detene the bearer a tyde by dyet upon the event of thair audience
4. To keep back from another; to withhold. 1543 Acts II. 426/1.
Gif the samin comprehens deteyne or withhald ony land possessioun or pensioun frome the kingis maiestie 1570 Inverness B. Rec. I. 194.
Scho withhaldis and deteneis ane warstay quhilk sum tyme laye in the ravestri 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 28.
Command B. that … he … restore to M. … her reasonabill dowrie … And inquire him, for quhat cause he deforces and deteins the samine fra her 1607 Melrose R. Rec. I. 36.
He … wrangouslie hes layit the teilling doun agane and deteinis mair nor his cavell extendis to 1647 St. A. Baxter Bks. 117.
Beand that the said Elspit hed detenit ane seck fra the said James Browne
b. To retain for a certain end. 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xix. 35.
What is it else, to dedicate the same thing a Kirk, and yet deteene it a buriall, but to giue with the one hand, and to grippe againe with the other?
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"Detene v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 28 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/detene>