Custody - Definition

n 1: a state of being confined (usually for a short time); "his
detention was politically motivated"; "the prisoner is on
hold"; "he is in the custody of police" [syn: detention,
detainment, hold, custody]
2: holding by the police; "the suspect is in custody"
3: (with `in') guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the
right to house and care for and discipline a child; "my fate
is in your hands"; "too much power in the president's hands";
"your guests are now in my custody"; "the mother was awarded
custody of the children" [syn: hands, custody]