obses idis (gen plur. obsidum, rarely obsidium, Cs., L.), m and f SED-, a hostage: obsides uti inter sese dent, exchange, Cs.: Cretensibus obsides imperavit: multi Romanis dediti obsides, S.: alqm obsidem retinere, as a hostage, N.: Me acceptā Obside, O.

—A surety, security, guaranty, assurance, bail, pledge: se eius rei obsidem fore, will answer for it, N.: (nuptiarum) obsides filios accipere: coniugii, O.: obsidem enim se animum eius habere, L.: obsides dedit se nullā in re Verri similem futurum, gave no guaranty: hanc condemnationem dederat obsidem Balbo, ut, etc.