captive

[kap-tiv]

noun

1. a prisoner.

2. a person who is enslaved or dominated.

   He is the captive of his own fears.

adjective

1. made or held prisoner, especially in war.

   captive troops.

2. kept in confinement or restraint.

   captive animals.

3. enslaved by love, beauty, etc.; captivated.

   her captive beau.

4. of or relating to a captive.

5. managed as an affiliate or subsidiary of a corporation and operated almost exclusively for the use or needs of the parent corporation rather than independently for the general public.

   a captive shop;

   a captive mine.

captive

/ ˈkæptɪv /

noun

1. a person or animal that is confined or restrained, esp a prisoner of war

2. a person whose behaviour is dominated by some emotion

   a captive of love

adjective

1. held as prisoner

2. held under restriction or control; confined

   captive water held behind a dam

3. captivated; enraptured

4. unable by circumstances to avoid speeches, advertisements, etc (esp in the phrase captive audience )

Other Word Forms

• noncaptive adjective
• pseudocaptive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of captive¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English or directly from Middle French, from Latin captīvus, equivalent to capt(us) “taken” (past participle of capere “to take”) + -īvus adjective suffix ( -ive )

Word History and Origins

Origin of captive¹

C14: from Latin captīvus, from capere to take

Example Sentences

In a statement on Friday, Ms Heraty's family confirmed she, alongside the other captives had been freed and thanked those involved in her recovery.

From BBC

Or, more accurately, for the two men holding her captive to shave it for her.

From BBC

Netanyahu is also facing intense pressure in Israel - particularly from the families of hostages who want him to negotiate an end to the war in order to bring their captive relatives home.

From BBC

Female orcas kept captive in marine zoos can be artificially inseminated to breed more calves, which can later be used to attract more visitors and perform in shows.

From BBC

Mr Coatsworth said these shops "benefit from a captive audience allowing the company to generate strong margins".

From BBC

Related Words

• detainee 
• hostage 
• prisoner 
• prisoner of war 
• slave