n.
Pronunciation: ' kap-tiv
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin captivus, from captus, past participle of capere
Date: 14th century
1 a : taken and held as or as if a prisoner of war b (1) : kept within bounds : CONFINED (2) : of or relating to captive animals < captive breeding>
2 : held under control of another but having the appearance of independence especially : owned or controlled by another concern and operated for its needs rather than for an open market <a captive mine>
3 : being such involuntarily because of a situation that makes free choice or departure difficult <the airline passengers were a captive audience>
– captive noun