kapˈtivəd.ē, -ətē, -i noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English captivite, from Middle French captivité, from Latin captivitas, from captivus captive + -itas -ity
1.
a. : state or condition of being held captive especially in war : subjection to a captor
troops remaining in captivity years after the war
b. : state of being kept caged or fenced in
some birds thrive in captivity
2. : domination by or subjection to another : oppressive control by another
the captivity of science and invention by business — W.H.Hamilton
3. archaic : a group of captives
they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom — Amos 1:9 (Authorized Version)