custody
/ˈkʌstədiː/ noun C1- The legal right to take care of something or somebody, especially children. · The court awarded custody to the child's father.· The mother gained custody of the children.
- Temporary possession or care of somebody else's property. · I couldn't pay the bill and now my passport is in custody of the hotel management.
- The state of being imprisoned or detained, usually pending a trial. · He was mistreated while in police custody.
- An area under the jurisdiction of a custos within the Order of Friars Minor.
Plural custodies
From the library
“Then the guilty person is absolutely in custody?” said the marquise.
“He is in safe custody,” answered Villefort; “and rely upon it, if the letter is found, he will not be likely to be trusted abroad again, unless he goes forth under the especial protection of the headsman.”
He made a sweeping bow to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the detective.
All the time they were playing the Queen never left off quarrelling with the other players, and shouting “Off with his head!” or “Off with her head!” Those whom she sentenced were taken into custody by the soldiers, who of course had to leave off being arches to do this, so that by the end of half an hour or so there were no arches left, and all the players, except the King, the Queen, and Alice, were in custody and under sentence of execution.
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