WorldAugust 16, 2026

detenu

deh-ten-YOO

Definition

A person who is held in custody, particularly under preventive detention laws, rather than as a result of a criminal conviction.

Etymology

Derived from the French word 'détenu', the past participle of 'détenir' (to hold or keep), which traces back to the Latin 'detenere'.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe an individual held under a preventive detention order, specifically noting that failure to inform them of their legal rights can render their confinement illegal.

Supreme Court Weekly Roundup: August 03, 2026 To August 09, 2026

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