hostages

hos-tag-es · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Plural of hostage; people seized or held as security for the fulfillment of demands.

  2. 2.

    People who are controlled or constrained by circumstances.

Phrases & expressions

  • release the hostages — To set captives free
  • hostages to fortune — Commitments that may cause future difficulties

Related words

Etymology

Plural of hostage, from Old French ostage, from Late Latin obsidaticum ("the state of being a hostage").