Hostage vs Captive - What's the difference?
hostage | captive |
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.
One who has been captured or is otherwise confined.
* {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
, chapter=19 One held prisoner.
(figurative) One charmed or subdued by beauty, excellence, or affection; one who is captivated.
Held prisoner; not free; confined.
* Milton
Subdued by love; charmed; captivated.
* Shakespeare
Of or relating to bondage or confinement; serving to confine.
As nouns the difference between hostage and captive
is that hostage is 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 while captive is one who has been captured or is otherwise confined.As an adjective captive is
held prisoner; not free; confined.hostage
English
Noun
(en noun)See also
* give hostage to fortuneExternal links
* (wikipedia "hostage")Anagrams
* * ----captive
English
Noun
(en noun)citation, passage=When Timothy and Julia hurried up the staircase to the bedroom floor, where a considerable commotion was taking place, Tim took Barry Leach with him. He had him gripped firmly by the arm, since he felt it was not safe to let him loose, and he had no immediate idea what to do with him. The captive made no resistance […].}}
Adjective
(-)- A poor, miserable, captive thrall.
- Even in so short a space, my wonan's heart / Grossly grew captive to his honey words.
- captive''' chains; '''captive hours