Hostage
Defined in 7 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Black's (1891), Bouvier (1839)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
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. 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 Burrows, 1734; 1 Kent, Comm. 106; Dane, Abr. Index.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
A person delivered into tllle possession of a public enemy In the time of war, as a security for the performance of a contract entered into between the belligerents. Hostages were frequently given as a security for the payment of a ransom-bill; and if they died their death did not discharge the contract; 3 Burr. 1734; 1 Kent 106; Dane, Abr. Index.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Law Dictionary and Glossary
George C. Kinney · 1893
A person given up to an enemy, as a security for the performance of a contract between belligerent powers, or their subjects or citizens.
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
<A person who is given into the possession of the enemy, in a public war, his freedom (or life) to stand as security for the performance of some contract or promise made by the belligerent power giving the hostage with the other,
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
John Bouvier · 1839
A person delivered in the possession of a public enemy in time of war as a security for the performance of a contract entered into between the belligerents. Hostages are frequently given asa 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.