noun🔗ShareOtageA 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. "Le roi a pris le jeune prince en otage pour assurer la loyauté du royaume envers le royaume voisin.politicsgovernmentlawmilitarynationstatehistorywarsocietypersonChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun🔗ShareOtageA 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. "Les ravisseurs ont pris le professeur en otage pour forcer l'école à libérer toutes les fournitures d'art de valeur.politicsgovernmentlawwarmilitaryactionstatepersoninhumanChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun🔗ShareOtageSomething 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. "Ma peur de décevoir mes parents était un otage de ma décision d'aller à l'université.politicsgovernmentstatelawwarmilitaryChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun🔗ShareOtageOne 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. "La peur de perdre son emploi a fait de lui un otage de son patron exigeant.personstatepoliticswarlawsocietyinhumanactionsufferingsituationeventChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
noun🔗ShareOtageThe 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. "Le professeur a pris le sac à dos de l'élève indiscipliné en otage pour s'assurer qu'il finisse ses devoirs.politicsgovernmentpolicemilitarywarlawconditionsituationactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verb🔗SharePrendre en otage(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. "L'étudiant en colère a menacé de prendre ses devoirs en otage jusqu'à ce que le professeur lui donne des points supplémentaires.politicsgovernmentmilitarywarlawactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verb🔗SharePrendre en otage(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. "Le tyran a menacé de prendre en otage le projet scientifique primé de l'école si les élèves ne lui donnaient pas leur argent de poche.politicsgovernmentlawmilitarywaractionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
