A person who is kept in prison as punishment or while waiting for trial. It can also describe someone who feels trapped by a situation.
Formed in English from *prison* plus the suffix *-er* meaning 'person who is in or connected with'. It ultimately comes from Latin roots about seizing and holding.
A prisoner is literally a 'prison person'—someone defined by the place that holds them. But we also say 'a prisoner of fear' or 'a prisoner of their past', showing how mental states can lock people in too. The same grammar builds both physical and psychological cages.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.