noun🔗ShareGeiselA 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."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.politicsgovernmentlawmilitarynationstatehistorywarsocietypersonChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun🔗ShareGeiselA 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."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.politicsgovernmentlawwarmilitaryactionstatepersoninhumanChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun🔗ShareGeiselSomething that constrains one's actions because it is at risk."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.politicsgovernmentstatelawwarmilitaryChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun🔗ShareGeiselOne who is compelled by something, especially something that poses a threat; one who is not free to choose their own course of action."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.personstatepoliticswarlawsocietyinhumanactionsufferingsituationeventChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun🔗ShareGeiselThe condition of being held as security or to compel someone else to act or not act in a particular way."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.politicsgovernmentpolicemilitarywarlawconditionsituationactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verb🔗ShareAls Geisel geben(possibly nonstandard) To give (someone or something) as a hostage to (someone or something else)."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.politicsgovernmentmilitarywarlawactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verb🔗Shareals 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."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.politicsgovernmentlawmilitarywaractionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
