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délivrer

to deliver, to free

verb deh-lee-VREH Less Common
People & Society Military

Origin: Latin deliberare

Also means

to issue (a document)

Usage Note

Délivrer has two main senses: to free someone from captivity or burden (délivrer un prisonnier = to free a prisoner), and to issue or hand over an official document (délivrer un passeport = to issue a passport). The reflexive se délivrer de means 'to free oneself from'. The related noun is la délivrance (deliverance, relief).

Examples

"Les soldats ont délivré les otages sains et saufs."

Natural Translation

The soldiers freed the hostages safe and sound.

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