hostage
hos-tage · noun
Definitions
noun
- 1.
A person seized or held as security for the fulfillment of a condition.
- 2.
A person who is controlled or constrained by circumstances beyond their control.
Forms
plural: hostages
Phrases & expressions
- •take hostage — To seize someone and hold them captive
- •hold hostage — To keep someone captive for ransom or leverage
- •hostage situation — A crisis involving captives held for demands
- •hostage to fortune — A commitment or action that could lead to future problems
- •hostage negotiator — A person trained to communicate with kidnappers
Related words
Etymology
From Old French ostage (modern French otage), from Late Latin obsidaticum ("the state of being a hostage"), from obses ("hostage"). Related to obsess (originally meaning "to besiege").