Hostaged Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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hostaged
[หhoสstษชdสd ]
Definition
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
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Interesting Facts
Legal Aspects
- Taking a person hostage is a serious crime, often categorized under kidnapping laws.
- Laws regarding hostage situations have evolved, with international treaties promoting the protection of hostages in conflict.
Psychology
- Hostage situations can lead to severe psychological stress for those taken, including trauma and long-lasting emotional effects.
- Understanding captors' motivations can help in resolving conflicts without violence.
Pop Culture
- Films and television shows often portray hostage situations, from thrilling rescue missions to deep psychological dramas examining the dynamics between captors and victims.
- One of the most famous movies featuring hostages is 'Dog Day Afternoon', based on a true story of a bank robbery that turned into a hostage crisis.
Historical Events
- The Iran Hostage Crisis in 1979 involved 52 American diplomats and citizens held for 444 days at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.
- Numerous rebellions throughout history have involved hostages as bargaining chips to negotiate terms of peace or surrender in conflict.
Origin of 'hostaged'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from 'hostage', which has roots in the Old French term 'ostage', meaning a person given as security.
- Historically, hostages were often members of the elite class given to ensure peace between warring factions.
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.