好词典

hostages

UK //ˈhɒstɪdʒɪz//US //ˈhɑːstɪdʒɪz//

词源

源自中古英语hostage,借自古法语hostage,原指担保人或抵押品,后演变为现代人质含义。

noun

❶ 指被强行扣押的人质,通常用于勒索、谈判或威胁的场合。这类人质的安全往往取决于对方是否满足特定要求。

“The terrorists took several hostages during the bank robbery.”

(恐怖分子在银行抢劫中劫持了数名人质。)

“Negotiators are working to secure the release of the hostages.”

(谈判人员正在努力确保人质获释。)

同义词:captives, prisoners, pawns

常见短语

take hostages — 指通过武力或威胁手段扣押人质的行为,常见于绑架或恐怖袭击事件中。

“The rebels took hostages to demand political concessions.”

(叛乱分子劫持人质以要求政治让步。)

hostage situation — 描述人质被扣押的紧急事件,通常需要警方或特种部队介入解决。

“The 10-hour hostage situation ended with all captives rescued safely.”

(持续10小时的人质事件以所有人质安全获救告终。)