noun

hostages

hostages

The hijackers released two hostages.

The hijackers released two hostages.

They are holding several people as hostages.

They are holding several people as hostages.

to take ((sb.)) as hostages They took the tourists as hostages.

to hold ((sb.)) as hostages They held several people as hostages.

Synonyms: captives, prisoners, pawns

Plural of 'hostage'. From Old French 'hostage', from 'hoste' meaning 'host'.

Think of multiple 'hosts' who 'age' under stress. The 's' at the end signifies more than one.

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