captif

captive

noun adjective cap-TEEF Rare

Origin: Latin captivus, from capere 'to take'

Also means

prisoner

Usage Note

Captif can function as both a noun (a captive person) and an adjective (held captive). The feminine forms are captive (noun) and captive (adjective). A ballon captif is a tethered balloon, and the phrase marché captif describes a market with no alternative suppliers — a customer who cannot switch.

Examples

"Le captif attendait sa libération."

Natural Translation

The captive awaited his release.

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