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ransom
CIDE DICTIONARY
ransom, n. [OE. raunson, raunsoun, OF. ran, raen, raan, F. ran, fr. L. redemptio, fr. redimere to redeem. See Redeem, and cf. Redemption.].
- The release of a captive, or of captured property, by payment of a consideration; redemption; as, prisoners hopeless of ransom. Dryden. [1913 Webster]
- The money or price paid for the redemption of a prisoner, or for goods captured by an enemy; payment for freedom from restraint, penalty, or forfeit. [1913 Webster]"Thy ransom paid, which man from death redeems." [1913 Webster]"His captivity in Austria, and the heavy ransom he paid for his liberty." [1913 Webster]
- A sum paid for the pardon of some great offense and the discharge of the offender; also, a fine paid in lieu of corporal punishment. Blackstone. [1913 Webster]
ransom, v. t. [Cf. F. ran. See Ransom, n. ].
- To redeem from captivity, servitude, punishment, or forfeit, by paying a price; to buy out of servitude or penalty; to rescue; to deliver; as, to ransom prisoners from an enemy. [1913 Webster]
- To exact a ransom for, or a payment on. [1913 Webster]"Such lands as he had rule of he ransomed them so grievously, and would tax the men two or three times in a year." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
ransom, n. & v.
--n.
1 a sum of money or other payment demanded or paid for the release of a prisoner.
2 the liberation of a prisoner in return for this.
--v.tr.
1 buy the freedom or restoration of; redeem.
2 hold to ransom.
3 release for a ransom.
--n.
1 a sum of money or other payment demanded or paid for the release of a prisoner.
2 the liberation of a prisoner in return for this.
--v.tr.
1 buy the freedom or restoration of; redeem.
2 hold to ransom.
3 release for a ransom.
Derivative
ransomer n. (in sense 1 of v.).
Etymology
ME f. OF ransoun(er) f. L redemptio -onis REDEMPTION
DEVIL DICTIONARY
ransom
n. The purchase of that which neither belongs to the seller, nor can belong to the buyer. The most unprofitable of investments.THESAURUS
ransom
buy, deliver, deliverance, delivery, emancipate, extract, extricate, extrication, free, freeing, get back, liberate, liberation, lifesaving, payment, price, recapture, reclaim, reclaiming, reclamation, recoup, recoupment, recover, recovery, recuperate, recuperation, recycle, redeem, redemption, regain, regainment, release, renovate, reoccupation, reoccupy, replevin, replevy, repossess, repossession, rescue, restoration, restore, resume, resumption, retake, retaking, retrieval, retrieve, revindicate, revindication, revival, revive, salvage, salvation, save, saving, set free, take back, trover, win backROGET THESAURUS
ransom
Deliverance
VB deliver, extricate, rescue, save, emancipate, redeem, ransom, bring off, bring through, tirer d'affaire, get the wheel out of the rut, snatch from the jaws of death, come to the rescue, rid, retrieve, be rid of, get rid of.Price
N price, amount, cost, expense, prime cost, charge, figure, demand, damage, fare, hire, wages, value, dues, duty, toll, tax, impost, cess, sess, tallage, levy, abkari, capitation tax, poll tax, doomage, likin, gabel, gabelle, gavel, octroi, custom, excise, assessment, benevolence, tithe, tenths, exactment, ransom, salvage, tariff, brokerage, wharfage, freightage, bill, shot, priced, to the tune of, ad valorem, dutiable, mercenary, venal, no penny no paternoster, point d'argent point de Suisse, no longer pipe no longer dance, no song no supper, if you dance you have to pay the piper, you get what you pay for, there's no such thing as a free lunch, one may have it for, a bon marche.Atonement
VB atone, atone for, expiate, propitiate, make amends, make good, reclaim, redeem, repair, ransom, absolve, purge, shrive, do penance, stand in a white sheet, repent in sackcloth and ashes, wear a hairshirt, set one's house in order, wipe off old scores, make matters up, pay the forfeit, pay the penalty, apologize, beg pardon, fair l'amende honorable, give satisfaction, come down on one's knees, fall down on one's knees, down on one's marrow bones.Also see definition of "ransom" in Bible Study Dictionaries
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