custody

n 1: a state of confinement (usually for a short time; "the

prisoner is on hold"; "he is in the custody of police")

[syn: {detention}, {hold}]

2: holding by the police; "the suspect is in custody"

3: (with `in') guardianship over; "my fate is in your hands";

"too much power in the president's hands"; "the children

are in the custody of their mother" [syn: {hands}]