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)

, hos·taged, hos·tag·ing.

1. to give (someone) as a hostage:

   He was hostaged to the Indians.

hostage

/ ˈhɒstɪdʒ /

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

Other Words From

• hostage·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hostage¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hostage¹

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

Related Words

• captive
• prisoner
• victim