custody

The definition of custody is the care of a person or thing, generally under court orders, or the state of being held by force.

(noun)

An example of custody is a parent having full rights to his child after a divorce.
An example of custody is a robber being held by the police.

See custody in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. custodies

a guarding or keeping safe; care; protection; guardianship
the right of having one's children in one's immediate care, awarded under various arrangements to one or both of the parents by a court as a result of a divorce or separation

Origin: ME custodie < L custodia < custos, a guard, keeper < IE *(s)keudh- <base *(s)keus-, to cover > sky

See custody in American Heritage Dictionary 4

cus·to·dy

noun pl. custodies cus·to·dies

The act or right of guarding, especially such a right granted by a court: an adult who was given custody of the child.
Care, supervision, and control exerted by one in charge. See Synonyms at care.
The state of being detained or held under guard, especially by the police: took the robbery suspect into custody.

Origin: Middle English custodie, from Latin custōdia, from custōs, custōd-, guard; see (s)keu- in Indo-European roots.

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