in military affairs, a certain number of soldiers drawn out from several regiments or companies equally, to be employed as the general thinks proper, whether on an attack, at a siege, or in parties to scour the country.

DETENTION (from detineo, "I detain"), the possession or holding of lands, or the like, from some other claimant. The word is chiefly used in an ill sense, for an unjust withholding, &c.