captor

[kap-ter]

noun

1. a person who has captured a person or thing.

captor

/ ˈkæptə /

noun

1. a person or animal that holds another captive

Word History and Origins

Origin of captor¹

1640–50; < Late Latin, equivalent to cap ( ere ) to take + -tor -tor

Word History and Origins

Origin of captor¹

C17: from Latin, from capere to take

Example Sentences

Woo scampers up to the troll holding Autumn and starts throwing tiny punches at his ankle—but Autumn’s captor doesn’t even seem to feel it.

Read more on Literature

Just as Edmond Dantès had tricked his captors by pretending to be a dead body, she had tricked the Babushkinovs into bringing her to Saint Petersburg.

Read more on Literature

Then, he added, his captors received what they described as an order to torture him.

Read more on BBC

The IAR said it took a year to persuade the bears' captor to agree to their release.

Read more on BBC

He was moved and endured forced labour at other camps, and finally a death march to Dachau, before his Nazi captors fled incoming American troops.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• holder 
• jailer