hostage — a person seized or held as security for the fulfillment of a condition
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a person seized or held as security for the fulfillment of a condition
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈhɑːstɪdʒ/
Example Sentences
- My homework is holding my weekend plans hostage.
- The police negotiated for hours to secure the hostage's release.
- My phone battery died and I felt like a hostage without internet.
hostage
NOUN[/ˈhɑːstɪdʒ/]
a person seized or held as security for the fulfillment of a condition
The bank robber held one hostage while police negotiated outside.
Hostage keeper at cottage faces food shortage!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Hostage derives from Middle French 'hostage', which evolved from Latin 'obsidatus' (meaning 'pledged' or 'given as security'). Historically, it referred to a person surrendered to an opposing party as a guarantee of compliance with a peace treaty or agreement.
Breakdown
The word comes from Latin ob- (toward) + sedere (to sit), literally 'one who sits opposite as pledge'. The Old French form 'hostage' developed this into a noun denoting a person held as security for the fulfillment of terms.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My homework is holding my weekend plans hostage.”
“The police negotiated for hours to secure the hostage's release.”
“My phone battery died and I felt like a hostage without internet.”
“The terrorists demanded ransom money for the hostages.”
📚Related Words
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