CAPTIVE, noun 1. A prisoner taken by force or stratagem in war, by an enemy; followed by to; as a captive to the victor. 2. One who is charmed or subdued by beauty or excellence; one whose affections are seized, or who is held by strong ties of love. 3. One who is ensnared by love or flattery, or by wiles. 2 Timothy 2:26. 4. A slave. Anciently captives were enslaved by their conquerors. But in modern times, they are not made slaves in Christian countries; and the word captive in a literal sense, rarely signifies a slave. CAPTIVE, verb transitive To take prisoner; to bring into subjection.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI