hostage
HOS-tij
/ˈhɒstɪdʒ/
A person seized or held as security for the fulfillment of a condition.
Implies that a person is held against their will, often under threat of harm or death, to compel a third party (e.g., a government, family) to meet certain demands.
The story behind the word. The word 'hostage' comes from the Old French 'ostage,' which meant 'pledge' or 'security.' This, in turn, derived from the Latin 'obsidaticum,' meaning 'state of being a hostage.' The concept has ancient roots, where a person (often a noble or a child) would be given to an opposing party as a guarantee that an agreement would be kept. If the agreement was broken, the hostage could be harmed.
Word relationships
- captive: A captive is held, often in war; a hostage is specifically held as security for demands.
- prisoner: A prisoner is held, usually legally, after being accused or convicted of a crime; a hostage is held unlawfully as leverage.
- free person: Someone not under constraint or captivity.
- liberated person: Someone who has been set free from imprisonment or slavery.
Commonly confused with
- victim: A victim suffers harm; a hostage is specifically held as leverage, though they are also a victim.
Collocations
- take hostage
- release a hostage
- hostage crisis
- hostage situation
Idioms & expressions
- hold someone hostage (figurative)
Example sentences
- "The kidnappers demanded a large ransom for the safe return of the hostage, threatening dire consequences if their demands were not met." Reporting on a kidnapping incident.
- "Negotiators worked tirelessly to secure the release of the hostages held aboard the hijacked plane." From a news headline.
Memory hook
Think of someone being held as a 'HOST' in a very unwelcome way, as security for demands. HOST-as-security
When not to use
Do not use 'hostage' for someone who is merely detained or imprisoned legally. It specifically refers to someone held unlawfully as leverage.
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