captive

Pronunciation: /ˈkæptɪv/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
  2. noun an animal that is confined
  3. noun a person held in the grip of a strong emotion or passion

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English captif; derived from Latin captīvus, probably through a borrowing from a Middle French intermediate. Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kap- (“seize, hold”). Doublet of caitiff.

In classic literature

Synonyms

prisoner

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
unfortunate
Narrower (hyponyms)
internee, convict, detainee, hostage, political prisoner, prisoner of war

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