prisoner of warn.
/ˈprɪznə ə(v) ˈwɔː/, /ˈprɪzn̩ə ə(v) ˈwɔː/, U.S. /ˈprɪznər ə(v) ˈwɔr/, /ˈprɪzn̩ər ə(v) ˈwɔr/ A person who has been captured or who has surrendered to an opponent in war; a captive. Abbreviated P.O.W. ( see POW n. at P n. Initialisms).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > warrior > defeated or conquered > [noun] > prisoner of war
prizec1330
prisonera1375
prison1438
prisoner of war1608
POW1903
1608 E. Grimeston tr. J. F. Le Petit Gen. Hist. Netherlands x. 544 Three Captains, as many Lieutenants, Ancients, Sargents & Corporalls of his Regiment, shall remaine prisoners of war to his Excellency, vntill the aboue-named be fully deliuered.
1612 W. Strachey Lawes in P. Force Tracts (1844) III. ii. 25 That Souldier that shall let go any caution deliuered vpon a treatie, or any prisoner of warre by his negligence, shall be punished with death.
1652 M. Nedham tr. J. Selden Of Dominion of Sea 15 The Laws about proclaiming War, Ambassie, Prisoners of War, Hostages,..Remitter upon return from Captivitie [etc.].
1723 B. Higgons Short View Eng. Hist. iii. 137 He would not only hang the Hostage, but also another of his Sons who was a prisoner of War in the English Camp.
1798 Times 12 July 2/4 The English prisoners of war at Lisle will be sent to Gravelines, where they will be embarked for England.
1830 H. Crow Mem. 233 Uttering a loud yell of triumph, [they] grappled the poor fellow as their prisoner of war.
1864 J. H. Burton Scot Abroad I. i. 20 Baliol, being then a prisoner of war.
1902 Encycl. Brit. XXXIII. 753/2 Prisoners of war are in the power of the hostile government, but not in that of the individuals or corps who captured them.
1944 World's Press News 31 Aug. 17/1 The Yorkshire Post reports receipt of a remarkable publication from Yorkshire prisoners of war in Germany. This takes the form of a special volume called the ‘Kriegie Edition’ of the Yorkshire Post.
2004 Irish Times (Nexis) 30 Sept. 12 The organisation visits thousands of prisoners of war throughout the country, including 700 government soldiers held by Sudanese rebel groups.
Compounds
prisoner-of-war camp n. (also prisoners-of-war camp) a temporary prison encampment for people captured in war.
ΚΠ
1864 Times 12 Nov. 9 The following is an extract from a letter from a Confederate prisoner of war, dated Point Lookout, Maryland, Prisoner of War Camp, Oct. 10 [etc.]
1922 Encycl. Brit. XXXII. 163/1 The inspection of prisoners-of-war camps by the accredited representatives of the protecting State.
1974 Times 12 Oct. 12/7 He found himself in Oflag IHA/H, a prisoner-of-war camp in Spannenburg.
2006 Baltimore Sun (Nexis) 11 Feb. 6 b While being held in Germany, she met..a U.S. Public Health Service physician whose job was to inspect prisoner-of-war camps.
Derivatives
ˌprisoner-of-ˈwardom n. the condition of being a prisoner of war.Apparently an isolated use.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defeat > [noun] > condition of being prisoner of war
prisoner-of-wardom1974
1974 Times 4 Mar. 9/4 (heading) Prisoner-of-wardom.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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