hostage background

hostage

/ˈhɒstɪdʒ/ /ˈhɑstɪdʒ/

Illustration hostage - Image 1

noun

Geisel

A person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or similar agreement, such as to ensure the status of a vassal.

Examples :

"The king took the young prince as a hostage to ensure the kingdom's loyalty to the neighboring kingdom. "

Der König nahm den jungen Prinzen als Geisel, um die Loyalität des Königreichs gegenüber dem Nachbarkönigreich sicherzustellen.

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Illustration hostage - Image 1

Illustration hostage - Image 2

noun

Geisel

A person seized in order to compel another party to act (or refrain from acting) in a certain way, because of the threat of harm to the hostage.

Examples :

"The kidnappers held the teacher hostage to force the school to release all the valuable art supplies. "

Die Entführer hielten den Lehrer als Geisel, um die Schule zu zwingen, alle wertvollen Kunstmaterialien freizugeben.

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Illustration hostage - Image 1

Illustration hostage - Image 2

noun

Geisel

Something that constrains one's actions because it is at risk.

Examples :

"My fear of disappointing my parents was a hostage to my decision to go to college. "

Meine Angst, meine Eltern zu enttäuschen, war eine Geisel meiner Entscheidung, aufs College zu gehen.

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Illustration hostage - Image 1

Illustration hostage - Image 2

noun

Geisel

One who is compelled by something, especially something that poses a threat; one who is not free to choose their own course of action.

Examples :

"The fear of losing his job made him a hostage to his demanding boss. "

Die Angst, seinen Job zu verlieren, machte ihn zu einer Geisel seines anspruchsvollen Chefs.

person state politics war law society inhuman action suffering situation event

Illustration hostage - Image 1

Illustration hostage - Image 2

noun

Geisel

The condition of being held as security or to compel someone else to act or not act in a particular way.

Examples :

"The teacher held the unruly student's backpack as a hostage to ensure he finished his homework. "

Der Lehrer hielt den Rucksack des ungezogenen Schülers als Geisel, um sicherzustellen, dass er seine Hausaufgaben erledigte.

politics government police military war law condition situation action

Illustration hostage - Image 1

Illustration hostage - Image 2

verb

Als Geisel geben

(possibly nonstandard) To give (someone or something) as a hostage to (someone or something else).

Examples :

"The angry student threatened to hostage his homework until the teacher gave him extra credit. "

Der wütende Schüler drohte, seine Hausaufgaben als Geisel zu geben, bis der Lehrer ihm zusätzliche Punkte gab.

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Illustration hostage - Image 1

Illustration hostage - Image 2

verb

als Geisel nehmen

(possibly nonstandard) To hold (someone or something) hostage, especially in a way that constrains or controls the person or thing held, or in order to exchange for something else.

Examples :

"The bully threatened to hostage the school's prize-winning science project if the students didn't give him their lunch money. "

Der Schläger drohte, das preisgekrönte Wissenschaftsprojekt der Schule als Geisel zu nehmen, wenn die Schüler ihm nicht ihr Pausengeld gaben.

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