Hostaged: meaning, definitions and examples
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hostaged
[ ˈhoʊstɪdʒd ]
taken as hostage
The term 'hostaged' refers to the act of taking someone captive or as a hostage, usually in the context of a crime or to exert pressure on someone. It implies that the person taken is used as leverage to achieve a specific goal, often involving demands or negotiations.
Synonyms
captured, held captive, taken prisoner.
Examples of usage
- The bank robbers hostaged the employees during the heist.
- The terrorists hostaged several tourists to gain attention.
- They were hostaged in the hotel for several days.
- The political activists had hostaged the government officials.
Translations
Translations of the word "hostaged" in other languages:
🇵🇹 refém
🇮🇳 बंदूक के जरिए बंधक
🇩🇪 Geisel
🇮🇩 sandera
🇺🇦 заручник
🇵🇱 zakładnik
🇯🇵 人質
🇫🇷 otage
🇪🇸 rehén
🇹🇷 rehine
🇰🇷 인질
🇸🇦 رهينة
🇨🇿 rukojmí
🇸🇰 rukojemník
🇨🇳 人质
🇸🇮 talec
🇮🇸 gísl
🇰🇿 босқа
🇬🇪 ტყვე
🇦🇿 təqsir
🇲🇽 rehén
Etymology
The word 'hostage' originates from the Latin word 'hostis', which meant 'enemy' or 'stranger'. In medieval times, a hostage was typically a person who was given or received as security for an agreement or treaty. This practice was common among feudal lords who would take hostages from each other to ensure that promises were kept. Over time, the term evolved to specifically refer to someone held against their will as a pawn in negotiations or conflicts. The transformation from the idea of security to one of coercion highlights the changing dynamics of power and relationships throughout history. In modern usage, 'hostaged' emphasizes the unfortunate situation where individuals are forcibly held to achieve a particular outcome, often involving unlawful acts.