captivus

Captivus is a Latin term meaning "captive" or "prisoner." It appears in Classical Latin as both an adjective and a noun, used to denote a person taken and deprived of freedom, typically through warfare or capture in other contexts.

Etymology and forms: The word derives from capere, "to seize," with the suffix -ivus. As an adjective it appears as captivus (masc.), captiva (fem.), and captivum (neut.). When used as a substantive, the masculine noun captivus is common, with the plural captivi meaning "captives." The feminine and neuter forms occur in agreement with the noun they modify or in adjective use.

Usage in Latin texts: In Roman writings, captivi could refer to prisoners of war or individuals enslaved following capture. The term thus occupies a semantic space overlapping with slavery and captivity in ancient Roman society. The feminine form captiva appears in contexts involving a female captive.

Modern usage: In contemporary scholarship, captivus is primarily encountered when discussing Latin grammar, Roman law and society, or in translations of Latin passages. It may also appear in historical fiction and academic overviews as a technical term for a captive person.

See also: captivity, prisoner of war, slavery in ancient Rome.