(obsolete) A hostage; a person held hostage.

plural of hostager

plural of hostage

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

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.

simple past tense and past participle of hostage

present participle of hostage

To have possession or custody of (a person) as security for performance against a treaty, a pledge, or a demand, especially now an extra-legal demand.

(transitive) To take custody or possession of a person as security for performance against a treaty, a pledge, or a demand, especially now an extra-legal demand; to take as hostage.

An action or remark that is considered unwise because it could invoke trouble or be difficult to live up to.