DETECTOR BAR
De*tect"or bar. (Railroads)
Defn: A bar, connected with a switch, longer than the distance between any two consecutive wheels of a train (45 to 50 feet), laid inside a rail and operated by the wheels so that the switch cannot be thrown until all the train is past the switch.
DETENEBRATE De*ten"e*brate, v. t. Etym: [L. de + tenebrare to make dark, fr. tenebrae darkness.]
Defn: To remove darkness from. [Obs.] Ash.
DETENT De*tent", n. Etym: [F. détente, fr. détendre to unbend, relax; pref. dé- (L. dis- or de) + tendre to stretch. See Distend.] (Mech.)
Defn: That which locks or unlocks a movement; a catch, pawl, or dog; especially, in clockwork, the catch which locks and unlocks the wheelwork in striking.
DETENTION
De*ten"tion, n. Etym: [L. detentio: cf. F. détention. See Detain.]
1. The act of detaining or keeping back; a withholding.
2. The state of being detained (stopped or hindered); delay from necessity.
3. Confinement; restraint; custody. The archduke Philip . . . found himself in a sort of honorable detention at Henry's court. Hallam.