Legal

Hostage

Also found in: Dictionary, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

HOSTAGE. A person delivered into the possession of a public enemy in the time of war, as a security for the performance of a contract entered into between the belligerents.
     2. Hostages are frequently given as a security for the payment of a ransom bill, and if they should die, their death would not discharge the contract. 3 Burr. 1734; 1 Kent, Com. 106; Dane's Ab. Index, h.t.

A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States. By John Bouvier. Published 1856.
Mentioned in
References in periodicals archive
The hostage exchange was organized by the Azerbaijan State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons and the State Border Service through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
When I arrived there, the escaped prisoners and several hostages already occupied the mayor's office while the mayor was outside conferring with some officials.
Two people were injured by the captor before he took the girl hostage.
The police swung into action and the neighbours nerves were tested after a mentally-challenged person, identified as Abdul Rahim, took 22 members of the family of his in-laws hostage.
The gunmen did not fire on them while the wounded hostage was being rescued.
General Ghafoor disclosed that Pakistan troops were dispatched to rescue the hostages shortly after the U.S.
According to one account, the police decided to charge the hostage-taker when he sought to flee the area with a couple of the hostages as cover.
government will not prosecute families looking to pay ransoms to terrorist groups holding their loved ones hostage -- a threat some families faced during their ordeals.
Summary: Doubts have been cast over claims that at least nine Lebanese servicemen being held hostage by ISIS militants were relocated to the group's stronghold in Syria, parties involved in the negotiations told The Daily Star.
Copyright © 2003-2025 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.