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otage
/ɔ.taʒ/
hostage
Les terroristes ont pris des otages dans l'ambassade.
The terrorists took hostages in the embassy.
formal
A person seized or held as security for the fulfillment of a condition, often in a conflict or criminal situation.
Les négociateurs ont réussi à libérer les otages.
The negotiators managed to free the hostages.
The term is commonly used in legal and political contexts.
Collocations
prendre en otageto take hostagelibérer des otagesto free hostages
Synonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
The word 'otage' is typically used in formal contexts, such as news reports or legal discussions.
Word Origin
From Old French 'ostage', from Latin 'obsidatus', meaning 'pledge' or 'security'.
Usage Notes
The term is often used in news reports and legal contexts to describe individuals held against their will for political or criminal purposes.
Word Breakdown
otage
hostage
rootDictionnaire Français-Anglais