custody

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a state of being confined (usually for a short time)
  2. noun holding by the police
  3. noun (with `in') guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin custōdia (“a keeping, watch, guard, prison”), from custōs (“a keeper, watchman, guard”). Doublet of custode.

In classic literature

Synonyms

detention, detainment, hold

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