Hostage
['hɒstɪdʒ] or ['hɑstɪdʒ]
Definition
(noun.) a prisoner who is held by one party to insure that another party will meet specified terms.
Typist: Perry--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or stipulations of any kind, on the performance of which the person is to be released.
Typist: Melville
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Sponsor, bail, surety
ANT:Dictator, conqueror
Edited by Edith
Definition
n. one remaining with the enemy as a pledge for the fulfilment of the conditions of a treaty.—Hostages to fortune a man's wife children &c.
Edited by Christine
Examples
- From my presence you do not stir, out of my reach you do not stray, till I receive a hostage--pledge for pledge--your heart for mine. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- With her as hostage I could force acquiescence to my every demand. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- Moreover, Philip, before his accession, had spent some years as a hostage in Greece. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- We will see about that presently--I can keep you hostage here, and bargain with you to send for your letter before I let you go. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- My alliance with him was the pledge of my sincerity, my union with his sister, my children, his presumptive heirs, were the hostages of my truth. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- The Carthaginians sent the hostages Rome demanded, they surrendered their arms, they prepared to surrender territory. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- There was a man of rare ability, one who had many hostages to give to fortune. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- The man, says Lord Bacon, who hath wife and children, has given hostages to fortune. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
Typist: Serena