custody

Definition

  • noun: the legal right to take care of a child (such as a child whose parents are divorced)
  • noun: immediate charge and control (as over a ward or a suspect) exercised by a person or an authority
  • used after 'in' or 'into'
  • synonyms: confinement, imprisonment, care

Examples

  • a bitter 'custody battle' [=a legal fight between divorced parents about who will take care of a child]

  • He was taken 'into' (police) 'custody' last night and will be charged with murder today.

  • The witness is 'in protective custody'. [=is being kept in a safe place by the police]

Movie quotes

  • (..) in the middle of the night, wearing masks, threatening Holly and Flynn and me. They told me not to talk about that woman I saw at the car wash, and if you're in custody and they find out... They're not coming back. Not after tonight. What's tonight? We don't want your money, Walt. (..)
    2013 TvShow: Breaking Bad Title: Felina Season: 5 Episode 16
  • (..) It's over. And I needed a proper goodbye. Not our last phone call. So you're going to the police? They'll be coming to me. If you're in custody, what stops those people from coming back, those people you worked with? When... when I still had the house, (..)
    2013 TvShow: Breaking Bad Title: Felina Season: 5 Episode 16