释义 |
hostage
hos·tage H0289200 (hŏs′tĭj)n.1. A person held by one party in a conflict as security that specified terms will be met by the opposing party.2. One that serves as security against an implied threat: superpowers held hostage to each other by their nuclear arsenals.3. One that is under the constraining control of another: "In becoming a mother one becomes a hostage to fortune" (Janna Malamud Smith). [Middle English, from Old French, probably from host, guest, host; see host1.]hostage (ˈhɒstɪdʒ) n1. a person given to or held by a person, organization, etc, as a security or pledge or for ransom, release, exchange for prisoners, etc2. the state of being held as a hostage3. any security or pledge4. give hostages to fortune to place oneself in a position in which misfortune may strike through the loss of what one values most[C13: from Old French, from hoste guest, host1]hos•tage (ˈhɒs tɪdʒ) n. 1. a person given or held as security for the fulfillment of certain conditions or terms, promises, etc., by another. 2. Archaic. a security or pledge. [1225–75; Middle English < Old French hostage] hostage - First referred to the state of someone handed over as a pledge or security (for the fulfillment of an undertaking).See also related terms for security.hostageA person held as a pledge that certain terms or agreements will be kept. (The taking of hostages is forbidden under the Geneva Conventions, 1949.)ThesaurusNoun | 1. | hostage - a prisoner who is held by one party to insure that another party will meet specified termssuretycaptive, prisoner - a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war |
hostagenoun captive, prisoner, pledge, pawn, security, surety the man they were holding as a hostageTranslationshostage (ˈhostidʒ) noun a person who is held prisoner in order to ensure that the captor's demands etc will be carried out. The terrorists took three people with them as hostages; They took / were holding three people hostage. 人質 人质take/hold (someone) hostage to take or keep (someone) as a hostage. The police were unable to attack the terrorists because they were holding three people hostage. 被當人質扣押 扣作人质hostage
give hostage to fortuneTo do or say something that could jeopardize future success or cause misfortune later on. With the economy at such a precarious level at the moment, the president made it clear that he would take no action that would give hostage to fortune.See also: fortune, give, hostagehostage to fortuneAn act or situation that could create future problems. A company that publicly supports an unpopular political stance often creates a hostage to fortune.See also: fortune, hostagetake hostage1. To hold someone captive and threaten violence to them in order to prevent another party (e.g. the police) from using force or in order to create leverage so that another party will agree to meet some demand. A noun or pronoun can be used between "take" and "hostage." The bank robber took several people hostage in order to negotiate a means of escape with the police. The criminals have taken hostage the daughter of a prominent businesswoman.2. To assume constraining, limiting control over something in order create leverage to achieve something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "take" and "hostage." The political party has taken the funding bill hostage so it can push through its controversial agenda. It just feels like the company is taking our job security hostage to make us work unreasonable hours.See also: hostage, taketake hostagesTo hold people captive and threaten violence to them in order to prevent another party (e.g. the police) from using force or in order to create leverage so that another party will agree to meet some demand. Police are not sure yet whether the criminals have taken any hostages. We might get a year or two in prison for robbing the joint, but they're going to throw us away for a long time if we start taking hostages.See also: hostage, takehold (one) hostageTo keep one somewhere without their permission or consent, as in a robbery or similar situation. Yeah, but if the bank robbers start holding civilians hostage, we'll have a much bigger crisis on our hands.See also: hold, hostagehold someone hostageto keep someone as a hostage. The terrorists planned to hold everyone hostage in the airplane. My neighbor was held hostage in his own home by a robber.See also: hold, hostagetake someone hostageto kidnap or seize someone to be a hostage. The terrorists planned to take the ambassador hostage. The entire family was taken hostage by the robber.See also: hostage, takea hostage to fortune mainly BRITISHIf someone or something is a hostage to fortune, they have created a situation where bad things may happen to them in the future. Charles had already made himself a hostage to fortune by declaring that 30 was a suitable age to settle down. The proposals were regarded by some as a dangerous hostage to fortune. Note: You can also say that someone gives a hostage to fortune or creates a hostage to fortune if they do something that may cause trouble in the future. Despite persistent questioning, he gave no hostages to fortune in the form of a timetable. Note: Other verbs may be used instead of give or create. By opting for the best, the council recognises that it may have handed a hostage to fortune. Many departments may find it difficult to achieve the new standards that have been set for them. Note: This expression comes from an essay by Francis Bacon, `Of Marriage and Single Life' (1625): `He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune.' See also: fortune, hostagea hostage to fortune an act, commitment, or remark which is regarded as unwise because it invites trouble or could prove difficult to live up to. The original hostages to fortune were a man's family, the allusion being to Francis Bacon's essay on marriage ( 1625 ): ‘He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune’.See also: fortune, hostagea ˌhostage to ˈfortune an action which may cause you great trouble in the future: Are you really sure you want to know who your real mother is? It may be taking a hostage to fortune, you know.See also: fortune, hostagehostage
hostage, person held by another as a guarantee that certain actions or promises will or will not be carried out. During periods of internal turmoil, insurgents often seize hostages; recent examples include seizures of Americans and other foreigners by militants in Iran (1979–81) and Lebanon (1980s). Military forces often take hostages among civilians in an occupied country, in order to ensure the delivery of requisitions, to discourage hostile acts, or to take reprisals for hostile acts committed by unknown persons. In World War II, thousands of hostages were executed throughout Europe by the German authorities in an attempt to crush resistance movements. The Geneva Convention of 1949 forbade entirely the taking of civilian hostages. Criminals, especially when confronted by police, sometimes take hostages as "human shields" or as bargaining assets. In 1998 it was revealed that Israel was holding Lebanese hostages solely for use in prisoner exchanges or other deals with Lebanese guerrillas; their detainment was condoned by Israel's supreme court. Ancient military custom regulated the behavior and treatment of hostages; originally a hostage was a person who had been delivered by one authority to another as a token of good faith, and was generally treated as an honored guest. However, he might be imprisoned or even executed if the agreement guaranteed by his person was broken. The code of honor was often very strictly observed in feudal times; thus, during the Hundred Years War, when the hostages sent to England in exchange for the release of John IIJohn II (John the Good), 1319–64, king of France (1350–64), son and successor of King Philip VI. An inept ruler, he began his reign by executing the constable of France (whose office he gave to his favorite, Charles de La Cerda) and by appointing dishonest and ..... Click the link for more information. of France escaped, King John felt bound to return to captivity in England. Until the 18th cent., hostages were often exchanged when treaties were concluded. Hostage (dreams)Dreaming about being a hostage suggests that you may experience feelings of victimization or entrapment. This can be indicative of a situation in daily life, such as an oppressive and unsatisfactory relationship or financial difficulties. The dream suggests that you may experience feelings of powerlessness and cannot see you way out of a difficult situation. Because a hostage is taken against his will, you may be feeling as though you have been trapped by another or by circumstances. Also, the hostage situation in your dream may represent a part of your personality that is not being expressed. It could be your creativity, intellect, or inner freedom. The purpose of this dream may be to make you more aware of the limiting conditions in your life. Additionally, the dream may trigger your imagination and problem-solving abilities enabling you to see new possibilities.Hostage
HOSTAGE. A person delivered into the possession of a public enemy in the time of war, as a security for the performance of a contract entered into between the belligerents. 2. Hostages are frequently given as a security for the payment of a ransom bill, and if they should die, their death would not discharge the contract. 3 Burr. 1734; 1 Kent, Com. 106; Dane's Ab. Index, h.t. hostage
Synonyms for hostagenoun captiveSynonyms- captive
- prisoner
- pledge
- pawn
- security
- surety
Synonyms for hostagenoun a prisoner who is held by one party to insure that another party will meet specified termsSynonymsRelated Words |