Took prisoner is spelled as /tʊk ˈprɪznər/. The word "took" is spelled with the digraph "oo" to indicate the pronunciation of /ʊ/. It is followed by the word "prisoner" which is spelled with an "s" instead of a "z" to indicate the British English spelling. The stress is on the second syllable of "prisoner," which is indicated by the apostrophe in the transcription as /ˈprɪznər/. The phrase "took prisoner" means to capture or arrest someone and take them into custody.
Took prisoner refers to an act of apprehending, capturing, or seizing an individual with the intention of holding them against their will. This phrase is typically used in a military, law enforcement, or wartime context to describe an action where a person or a group is forcefully detained or confined as a captive. The act of taking someone prisoner involves the use of force, coercion, or aggression to subdue and gain control over an individual, making them entirely dependent on their captor.
When someone is taken prisoner, they may be subject to various forms of confinement, such as imprisonment, detention, or being held captive in a particular location. This action is often initiated as a result of a conflict, battle, or criminal offense, where the captors aim to secure the captured person and potentially extract information or exert influence over their captives.
The status of being a prisoner entails a loss of personal freedom, as the captor possesses the power to restrict the movements, actions, and decisions of the captive. It implies a condition where the prisoner is under the control and authority of the captor, typically leading to a subjugation of the captive's rights and liberties.
Took prisoner can also encompass an act of arresting and detaining an individual in a legal or law enforcement context. In such instances, it involves the lawful exercise of authority by officials to apprehend and secure an accused person for the purpose of proper legal proceedings and potential punishment.
The etymology of the phrase "took prisoner" can be traced back to the Middle English and Old French languages.
The word "took" is the past tense of the verb "to take". It originated from the Old English word "tēon" which means "to lead, draw, or pull". Over time, it evolved into "taken" and "took" for its past tense forms.
The word "prisoner" comes from the Old French word "prisonier", which derived from the Latin word "prehensio" meaning "capture, seizure". In Old French, it referred to a person in captivity or one who has been captured.
When these two words are combined, "took prisoner" refers to the act of capturing or seizing someone and holding them captive. The phrase has retained its meaning over centuries and is still commonly used in this context today.