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captives
1 dictionary results for: captives
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
cap·tive       (kāp'tĭv)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
  1. One, such as a prisoner of war, who is forcibly confined, subjugated, or enslaved.
  2. One held in the grip of a strong emotion or passion.

adj.  
  1. Taken and held prisoner, as in war.
  2. Held in bondage; enslaved.
  3. Kept under restraint or control; confined: captive birds.
  4. Restrained by circumstances that prevent free choice: a captive audience; a captive market.
  5. Enraptured, as by beauty; captivated.


[Middle English captif, from Old French, from Latin captīvus, from captus, past participle of capere, to seize; see kap- in Indo-European roots.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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