different between obstruct vs detain

English

Etymology

From Latin past participle stem obstruct- (“blocked up”), from verb obstruere, from ob (“against”) + struere (“pile up, build”)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?b?st??kt/
• Rhymes: -?kt

Verb

obstruct (third-person singular simple present obstructs, present participle obstructing, simple past and past participle obstructed)

(Can we add an example for this sense?)

1. To block or fill (a passage) with obstacles or an obstacle. See synonyms at block.
3. To impede, retard, or interfere with; hinder.

4. To get in the way of so as to hide from sight.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:hinder

Derived terms

• deobstruct
• obstructed
• obstructedly
• unobstructed
• unobstructedly

Related terms

Translations

English

Etymology

From Old French detenir. Cognate with Italian detenere, Portuguese deter, Romanian de?ine, and Spanish detener.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d??te?n/
• Rhymes: -e?n

Verb

detain (third-person singular simple present detains, present participle detaining, simple past and past participle detained)

1. (transitive) To keep someone from proceeding by holding them back or making claims on their attention.
2. (transitive) To put under custody.
3. (transitive) To keep back or from; to withhold.
   • 1650, Jeremy Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living

     Detain not the wages of the hireling.

4. (transitive) To seize goods for official purposes.

Derived terms

• detainee

Related terms

Translations

Anagrams

• -tadine, Danite, Tienda, indate, nidate, tienda