51Թ

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captive

[kap-tiv]

noun

  1. a prisoner.

  2. a person who is enslaved or dominated.

    He is the captive of his own fears.



adjective

  1. made or held prisoner, especially in war.

    captive troops.

  2. kept in confinement or restraint.

    captive animals.

  3. enslaved by love, beauty, etc.; captivated.

    her captive beau.

  4. of or relating to a captive.

  5. managed as an affiliate or subsidiary of a corporation and operated almost exclusively for the use or needs of the parent corporation rather than independently for the general public.

    a captive shop;

    a captive mine.

captive

/ ˈæɪ /

noun

  1. a person or animal that is confined or restrained, esp a prisoner of war

  2. a person whose behaviour is dominated by some emotion

    a captive of love

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. held as prisoner

  2. held under restriction or control; confined

    captive water held behind a dam

  3. captivated; enraptured

  4. unable by circumstances to avoid speeches, advertisements, etc (esp in the phrase captive audience )

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • noncaptive adjective
  • pseudocaptive adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of captive1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English or directly from Middle French, from Latin īܲ, equivalent to capt(us) “taken” (past participle of capere “to take”) + -īܲ adjective suffix ( -ive )
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of captive1

C14: from Latin īܲ, from capere to take
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Gary Usher, a songwriter who worked with Landy, told state investigators that Wilson was a virtual captive, manipulated by a man who frightened and intimidated him.

From

So far, eight living captives have been freed in rescue operations by Israeli forces, while more than 140 have been released through agreements with Hamas.

From

“He beat me, held me captive and wanted me to be in ménages à trois,” Silva later told People magazine.

From

The group urged the Israeli government to reach an agreement with Hamas to free the remaining captives.

From

He was led into the forest with 15 other people where he witnessed the execution of two of his fellow captives.

From

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captivatingcaptive audience