Hostage Definition
hŏstĭj
hostages
noun
hostages
A person given as a pledge, or taken prisoner as by an enemy or terrorist, until certain conditions are met.
Webster's New World
One that serves as security against an implied threat.
Superpowers held hostage to each other by their nuclear arsenals.
American Heritage
The state of being a hostage.
Webster's New World
One that is under the constraining control of another.
American Heritage
A person held by one party in a conflict as security that specified terms will be met by the opposing party.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Other Word Forms of Hostage
Noun
Singular:
hostage
Plural:
hostagesOrigin of Hostage
-
Middle English from Old French probably from host guest, host host1
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
Middle English from Old French probably from host guest, host host1
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Old French hostage (French: otage, from hoste or Late Latin obsidanus.)
From Wiktionary
Hostage Is Also Mentioned In
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