hostage
Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).
Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.
Noun
- A person given as a [[pledge]] or [[security]] for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or similar agreement, such as to ensure the status of a [[vassal]].
- A person [[seize]]d in order to [[compel]] another party to act (or refrain from acting) in a certain way, because of the [[threat]] of harm to the hostage.
- Something that [[constrain]]s one's [[action]]s because it is [[at risk]].
- One who is [[compel]]led by something, especially something that poses a [[threat]]; one who is not free to choose their own course of action.
- The [[condition]] of being held as security or to compel someone else to act or not act in a particular way.
Verb
- {{lb|en|possibly|nonstandard}} To [[give]] (someone or something) as a hostage to (someone or something else).
- {{lb|en|possibly|nonstandard}} To [[hold hostage|hold (someone or something) hostage]], especially in a way that constrains or controls the person or thing held, or in order to exchange for something else.
Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.