verwahren

Verwahren is a German verb meaning to keep something in safekeeping, to store securely, or to place under custody. It is used for physical objects, documents, or valuables, and also in legal contexts where a person or item is entrusted to a custodian or authority. The verb is transitive and conjugates regularly (ich verwahre, du verwahrst, er verwahrt; past tense verwahrte, hat verwahrt). Common constructions include in Verwahrung nehmen (to take into safekeeping) and in Verwahrung geben (to entrust to safekeeping).

In everyday and administrative contexts, Verwahrung denotes safekeeping by a custodian, such as a bank, notary, or archive. The noun Verwahrung refers to the state or act of keeping something under guard, and Verwahrstelle designates a designated place or facility where items are stored under custody. The term is frequently paired with references to the custody relationship between the owner and the custodian.

In legal language, Verwahrung appears as a general concept of custody or safekeeping by authorities, though it is often specialized in particular domains. A well-known related concept in German criminal law is Sicherungsverwahrung, a form of preventive detention intended to prevent further danger from a convicted person after a sentence. This specialized use is distinct from ordinary safekeeping as such.

See also: Aufbewahrung, Verwahrstelle, Verwahrungsvertrag, Sicherungsverwahrung.