51Թ

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View synonyms for

hostage

[hos-tij]

noun

  1. a person given or held as security for the fulfillment of certain conditions or terms, promises, etc., by another.

  2. Archaic.a security or pledge.

  3. Obsolete.the condition of a hostage.



verb (used with object)

hostaged, hostaging 
  1. to give (someone) as a hostage.

    He was hostaged to the Indians.

hostage

/ ˈɒɪ /

noun

  1. a person given to or held by a person, organization, etc, as a security or pledge or for ransom, release, exchange for prisoners, etc

  2. the state of being held as a hostage

  3. any security or pledge

  4. to place oneself in a position in which misfortune may strike through the loss of what one values most

“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

  • hostageship noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of hostage1

1225–75; Middle English < Old French hostage ( h- by association with ( h ) oste host 2 ), ostage ≪ Vulgar Latin *Dzپܳ state of being a hostage < Latin obsid- (stem of obses ) hostage (equivalent to ob- ob- + sid- sit 1 ) + -پܳ -age
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of hostage1

C13: from Old French, from hoste guest, host 1
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“They literally become a hostage in the hospital, for months to years.”

From

Israel said the step, which has been widely condemned, was taken to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining hostages.

From

Russia has captured many thousands of civilians during its full scale invasion of Ukraine and is effectively holding them hostage in Russian prisons.

From

Israeli security forces operating in Gaza have recovered the bodies of two Israeli hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says.

From

More than 300 police officers, including a specialist Cobra tactical unit which handles attacks and hostage situations, were deployed to the school.

From

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