51Թ

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View synonyms for

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)

hostaged, hostaging.
  1. to give (someone) as a hostage:

    He was hostaged to the Indians.

hostage

/ ˈɒɪ /

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • Dzt·󾱱 noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of hostage1

1225–75; Middle English < Old French hostage ( h- by association with ( h ) oste host 2 ), ostage Vulgar Latin *Dzپܳ state of being a hostage < Latin obsid- (stem of obses ) hostage (equivalent to ob- ob- + sid- sit 1 ) + -پܳ -age
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of hostage1

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

Examples have not been reviewed.

But now, he reckons, such agreements are "hostage to the wishes of the dominant political group in America".

From

Violence flared up again in 2023 after Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages.

From

He argued that military pressure would force Hamas to release the remaining 59 hostages it is holding, up to 24 of whom are believed to be alive.

From

Israel said it was imposing a ban on goods entering Gaza on 2 March due to Hamas's refusal to extend the first phase of the January ceasefire deal and release more hostages.

From

In a statement, the group urged the Israeli government to prioritise securing the release of all hostages still held in Gaza.

From

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