prisoner
pronunciation
How to pronounce prisoner in British English:
UK [ˈprɪznə(r)]
How to pronounce prisoner in American English:
US [ˈprɪznər]
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- Noun:
- a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
Word Origin
- prisoner (n.)
- "person in prison, captive person," late 14c. (earlier "a jailer," mid-13c., but this did not survive Middle English), from Old French prisonier "captive, hostage" (12c., Modern French prisonnier), from prisoun (see prison (n.)). Captives taken in war have been called prisoners since mid-14c.; phrase prisoner of war dates from 1670s (see also POW). Prisoner's dilemma attested from 1957.
Synonym
Example
- 1. I remain a prisoner of the blackberry nightmare .
- 2. Judge castresana felt like a prisoner in guatemala .
- 3. Each prisoner had his own cell in which to contemplate his rehabilitation .
- 4. Then the prisoner spoke and I understood that he wanted my sword .
- 5. After being released in a prisoner exchange , the reveres rejoined the fight .