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Webster 1913 Edition

Hostage

Hos′tage

,
Noun.
[OE.
hostage
, OF.
hostage
,
ostage
, F.
ôtage
, LL.
hostaticus
,
ostaticum
, for
hospitaticum
, fr. L.
hospes
guest, host. The first meaning is, the state of a guest, hospitality; hence, the state of a hostage (treated as a guest); and both these meanings occur in Old French. See
Host
a landlord.]
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.
Your
hostages
I have, so have you mine;
And we shall talk before we fight.
Shakespeare
He that hath a wife and children hath given
hostages
to fortune.
Bacon.

Webster 1828 Edition

Hostage

HOS'TAGE

,
Noun.
A person delivered to an enemy or hostile power, as a pledge to secure the performance of the conditions of a treaty or stipulations of any kind, and on the performance of which the person is to be released.

Definition 2024

hostage

hostage

English

Noun

hostage ‎(plural hostages)

  1. 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.

Translations

See also

Anagrams

Old French

Etymology

Latin hospitalis. Etymologically related to hôpital.

Noun

hostage m ‎(oblique plural hostages, nominative singular hostages, nominative plural hostage)

  1. hostage

Descendants

Etymology

From Old French hostage (French: otage, from hoste or Late Latin obsidanus.)

Pronunciation

  • enPR: hŏsʹtĭj

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