deter

Senses

1. 1.

   to stop, to halt

   to cause someone or something to stop moving or acting

2. 2.

   to detain, to arrest

   to hold someone in custody or under restraint

3. 3.

   to hold, to possess

   to have or possess something (formal/legal)

Examples

• "A polícia conseguiu deter o suspeito na esquina."

  The police managed to detain the suspect on the corner.

• "Nada vai me deter de alcançar meus objetivos."

  Nothing will stop me from achieving my goals.

• "Ele detém a maior parte das ações da empresa."

  He holds the majority of the company's shares.

Usage

Common in both formal and informal contexts. Often used reflexively as "deter-se" (to stop oneself, to dwell on). Conjugated irregularly like "ter" (e.g., eu detenho, ele detém). Frequently collocates with words like "suspeito" (suspect), "criminoso" (criminal), and "poder" (power).