I.v. infra; Inscr. Spec. Epigr. p. 5, 11 Jahn), ĭdis (gen. plur. obsidium, Caes. B. G. 5, 27; 6, 9; Liv. 2, 13, 97), m. and f. ob-sedeo.
I. Lit., a hostage: “OPSIDES ABDOVCIT, first Epit. of the Scipios: ut obsides accipere, non dare consueverint,” Caes. B. G. 1, 14; Liv. 34, 35: “obsides alicui imperare,” Cic. Imp. Pomp. 12, 35: “dedere,” Sall. J. 54, 6: “retinere aliquem obsidem,” as a hostage, Nep. Them. 7, 2.—Fem.: “me tamen acceptā poterat deponere bellum Obside,” Ov. M. 8, 48: “obsides, qui Porsenae mittebantur,” Plin. 34, 6, 13, § 29: “inter se dare,” to exchange, Caes. B. G. 1, 9.—
II. Transf., in gen., a surety, security, bail, pledge (syn.: “sponsor, vindex, vas, praes): Phocion se ejus rei obsidem fore, pollicitus est,” to be surety, to answer for it, Nep. Phoc. 2, 4: “accipere aliquem obsidem nuptiarum,” Cic. Clu. 66, 188: “conjugii,” Ov. H. 2, 34: “rei,” Nep. Phoc. 2, 4: dare obsides, with a foll. acc. and inf., to give a surety or guarantee: “tantum modo oratoribus Metellus obsides non dedit, se nullā in re Verri similem futurum,” Cic. Verr. 2, 3, 53, § 124.—Also of inanim. subjects: “habemus a C. Caesare sententiam tamquam obsidem perpetuae in rem publicam voluntatis,” Cic. Cat. 4, 5, 9; id. Cael. 32, 78; id. Clu. 30, 83; Quint. 12, 7, 3: “obsidem enim se animum ejus habere,” Liv. 39, 47.
