Cus"to*dy (k?s"t?-d?), n. [L. custodia, fr.
custos guard; prob.
akin to Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?;&?;&?; to hide, and E. hide. See Hide to cover.]
1.
A keeping or guarding; care, watch, inspection, for keeping, preservation, or security.
A fleet of thirty ships for the custody of the narrow
seas.
Bacon.
2. Judicial or penal safe- keeping.
Jailer, take
him to thy
custody.
Shak.
3. State
of being guarded and watched to prevent escape; restraint of liberty; confinement; imprisonment.
What pease will be given
To us
enslaved, but custody
severe,
And stripes and arbitrary punishment?
Milton.
Hear it pronounced