Custody \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)