captor
UK: ˈkæptə | US: ˈkæptər
Definition
n. a person who captures someone or something
Structure
capt <take/seize>or <agent noun suffix>
Etymology
captor = capt<take/seize> + or<agent noun suffix>
- capt (from Latin capere, meaning "to take or seize")
- or (a suffix denoting a person who performs an action, from Latin -or)
Etymology Origin:
The word "captor" traces back to Latin capere ("to seize"), which also gives rise to words like "capture" and "captive." The suffix -or indicates an agent, making "captor" literally "one who seizes." This reflects its use for someone who takes another person or thing by force.
Examples
The police identified the captor after a lengthy investigation.
The kidnapper acted as both captor and negotiator.
In the story, the hero outsmarted his captor and escaped.
The captor demanded a ransom for the hostage’s release.
Soldiers rescued the prisoners and apprehended their captors.