Prisoner Demanding Release Political Noun Bre ˈprɪznə(R ˈprɪznər

• the number of prisoners serving life sentences has fallen.
• they are demanding the release of all political prisoners.
• he was taken prisoner by rebel soldiers.
• they are holding her prisoner and demanding a large ransom.

prisoner

1. a person who is kept in prison as a punishment, or while they are waiting for trial
• The number of prisoners serving life sentences has fallen.
• They are demanding the release of all political prisoners.
2. a person who has been captured, for example by an enemy, and is being kept somewhere
• He was taken prisoner by rebel soldiers.
• They are holding her prisoner and demanding a large ransom.
• She is afraid to go out and has become a virtual prisoner in her own home.
• He was a prisoner of his own ignorance.

Extra Examples

• Many soldiers were taken prisoner.
• Over 2 million prisoners are currently incarcerated in the US.
• The former prisoner of conscience was elected president of the new democracy.
• They had captured over 100 prisoners.
• They were allowed only limited contact with their fellow prisoners.
• They were kept prisoner for eight months in a tiny flat.
• Without a wheelchair, she is a virtual prisoner in her own home.
• They are demanding the release of all political prisoners.

Word Origin

• late Middle English: from Old French prisonier, from prison, from Latin prensio(n-), variant of prehensio(n-) ‘laying hold of’, from the verb prehendere.