Kilo Lingo

l'

masculine

/ɔ.taʒ/

Line drawing of otage
Coloured illustration of otage
#1749 of 5,000 Core 5000

Translation

hostage

Word origin

From Old French ostage ('lodging, hostage'), from oste ('host'), Latin hospes. A hostage was originally someone lodged with the other side as a guarantee.

Origin
Latin
Root
hospes
English cognates
hostage, host, hospitality

Grammar

Gendermasculine
Pluralotages

Examples

.

The hostages were released on Tuesday morning.

' ' ' .

The police confirmed there was no longer a hostage in the building.

preneurs '.

The government refuses to negotiate with hostage-takers.

.

Two hostages were let go on health grounds.

voyageurs grève.

Travellers say they are being held hostage by the strike.

Where this fits

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French · Free printables

otage: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the French word "otage" (hostage): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

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This word is part of lesson 35.