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captive

2 ENTRIES FOUND:

cap·tive

adj \ˈkap-tiv\

Definition of CAPTIVE

1
a : taken and held as or as if a prisoner of war b (1) : kept within bounds : confined (2) : of or relating to captive animals <captive breeding>
2
: held under control of another but having the appearance of independence; especially : owned or controlled by another concern and operated for its needs rather than for an open market <a captive mine>
3
: being such involuntarily because of a situation that makes free choice or departure difficult <a captive audience>
captive noun

Examples of CAPTIVE

  1. The captive soldiers planned their escape.
  2. <the captive soldiers were treated humanely by the guards>

Origin of CAPTIVE

Middle English, from Latin captivus, from captus, past participle of capere
First Known Use: 14th century

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