hostage

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: hos=tage

CIDE DICTIONARY

hostage, n. [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.  [1913 Webster]
"Your hostages I have, so have you mine;
And we shall talk before we fight."  [1913 Webster]
"He that hath a wife and children hath given hostages to fortune."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

hostage, n.
1 a person seized or held as security for the fulfilment of a condition.
2 a pledge or security.

Idiom

a hostage to fortune an acquisition, commitment, etc., regarded as endangered by unforeseen circumstances.

Derivative

hostageship n.

Etymology

ME f. OF (h)ostage ult. f. LL obsidatus hostageship f. L obses obsidis hostage

THESAURUS

hostage

bail, bond, captive, earnest, earnest money, escrow, gage, guaranty, handsel, hock, mainprise, pawn, pignus, pledge, prisoner, recognizance, replevin, replevy, security, surety, token, token payment, undertaking, vadimonium, vadium

ROGET THESAURUS

hostage

Prisoner

N prisoner, prisoner of war, POW, captive, inmate, detainee, hostage, abductee, detenu, close prisoner, jail bird, ticket of leave man, chevronne, imprisoned, in prison, in quod, in durance vile, in limbo, in custody, doing time, in charge, in chains, under lock and key, under hatches, on parole.

Security

N security, guaranty, guarantee, gage, warranty, bond, tie, pledge, plight, mortgage, collateral, debenture, hypothecation, bill of sale, lien, pawn, pignoration, real security, vadium, stake, deposit, earnest, handsel, caution, promissory note, bill, bill of exchange, I, O, U, personal security, covenant, specialty, parole, acceptance, indorsement, signature, execution, stamp, seal, sponsor, cosponsor, sponsion, sponsorship, surety, bail, mainpernor, hostage, godchild, godfather, godmother, recognizance, deed of indemnity, covenant of indemnity, authentication, verification, warrant, certificate, voucher, docket, doquet, record, probate, attested copy, receipt, acquittance, quittance, discharge, release, muniment, title deed, instrument, deed, deed poll, assurance, indenture, charter, charter poll, paper, parchment, settlement, will, testament, last will and testament, codicil, bonis avibus, gone where the woodbine twineth.