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

According to a Christian group involved in the case, the pupils managed to escape between Friday and Saturday in what is being described as a brave and risky attempt to flee their captors.

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

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

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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.

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Having narrowly escaped a would-be captor, Raquel remains haunted by her near fate.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• holder 
• jailer