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Hostage: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ”’
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hostage

 

[ หˆhษ’stษชdส’ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

international relations

A person seized or held as security for the fulfillment of a condition.

Synonyms

captive, detainee, prisoner

Examples of usage

  • The hostages were released unharmed after negotiations.
  • The terrorist group demanded a ransom in exchange for the hostages.
Context #2 | Noun

general

A person who is controlled by an outside influence.

Synonyms

pawn, slaves, victim

Examples of usage

  • She felt like a hostage to her own emotions.
  • He was a hostage to his addiction.

Translations

Translations of the word "hostage" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น refรฉm

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฌเค‚เคงเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Geisel

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ sandera

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะฐั€ัƒั‡ะฝะธะบ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zakล‚adnik

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ไบบ่ณช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท otage

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ rehรฉn

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท rehine

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ธ์งˆ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฑู‡ูŠู†ุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ rukojmรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ rukojemnรญk

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ไบบ่ดจ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ talec

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ gรญsl

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚าฑั‚า›ั‹ะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒžแƒแƒขแƒ˜แƒ›แƒแƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ girov

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ rehรฉn

Etymology

The word 'hostage' originated from the Old French word 'hostage', which meant 'a person handed over as a pledge'. It was derived from the Latin word 'hostia', meaning 'sacrifice' or 'victim'. The concept of hostages has been present throughout history, often used as a means of ensuring compliance or negotiation in various conflicts.

See also: host, hostages, hostel, hostile, hosting.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,110, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.