gijzelaar
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Dutch
Etymology
From Middle Dutch giselaer, giselare, from gisel (“hostage”, also “pledge, security”) + -aer. The former from Old Dutch *gīsel, from Proto-Germanic *gīslaz. Equivalent to archaic gijzel + -aar. The use of this suffix in a passive sense is comparable to martelaar (“martyr”). The proscribed sense “hostage-taker” developed through reanalysis as an agent noun of gijzelen (“to take hostage”).
Pronunciation
Noun
gijzelaar m (plural gijzelaars, diminutive gijzelaartje n)
- hostage
- Synonym: gegijzelde
- (proscribed) hostage-taker
- Synonyms: gijzelnemer, gijzelhouder
Related terms
Descendants
- Afrikaans: gyselaar