captivity
/kapˈtɪvɪti
/noun (plural captivities) [mass noun]
1The condition of being imprisoned or confined: he was released after 865 days in captivity the third month of their captivity passed...
- Most animals' basic needs can be met in captivity if conditions are sufficiently favourable.
- Later in 1945, when in captivity, he spoke about the shooting to fellow prisoners.
- Millions of the 5 million or so who returned alive from German captivity were sentenced to labour camps.
Synonyms
imprisonment, confinement, internment, incarceration, custody, detention, restraint, constraint, committal, arrest;
bondage, slavery, servitude, enslavement, subjugation, subjection
literary thraldom, thrall
archaic duress, durance
1.1 (the Captivity) short for Babylonian Captivity.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Latin captivitas, from captivus 'taken captive' (see captive).