Captive Definition

kăptĭv
captives
noun
captives
A person caught and held prisoner, as in war.
Webster's New World
One held in the grip of a strong emotion or passion.
American Heritage
A person who is captivated, as by beauty or love.
Webster's New World
A subsidiary that serves only its parent company.
American Heritage
Antonyms:
adjective
Taken prisoner or held by force.
Webster's New World
Held in bondage; enslaved.
American Heritage
Not able to act independently.
A captive nation.
Webster's New World
Kept under restraint or control; confined.
Captive birds.
American Heritage
Obliged or forced to listen, whether wanting to or not.
A captive audience.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Captive

Noun

Singular:
captive
Plural:
captives

Origin of Captive

  • Middle English captif from Old French from Latin captīvus from captus past participle of capere to seize kap- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Ultimately from Latin captivus.

    From Wiktionary

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