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Webster 1913 Edition

Hostage

Hos′tage

,
Noun.
[OE.
hostage
, OF.
hostage
,
ostage
, F.
ôtage
, LL.
hostaticus
,
ostaticum
, for
hospitaticum
, fr. L.
hospes
guest, host. The first meaning is, the state of a guest, hospitality; hence, the state of a hostage (treated as a guest); and both these meanings occur in Old French. See
Host
a landlord.]
A person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or stipulations of any kind, on the performance of which the person is to be released.
Your
hostages
I have, so have you mine;
And we shall talk before we fight.
Shakespeare
He that hath a wife and children hath given
hostages
to fortune.
Bacon.

Webster 1828 Edition

Hostage

HOS'TAGE

,
Noun.
A person delivered to an enemy or hostile power, as a pledge to secure the performance of the conditions of a treaty or stipulations of any kind, and on the performance of which the person is to be released.

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