ransom

      English

      Etymology

      From the Middle English ransoun, from the Old French rançon, from stem of Latin redemptio. (See redemption.) Entered English ca. the 13th century

      Pronunciation

      Noun

      ransom (usually uncountable; plural ransoms)

      1. Money paid for the freeing of a hostage.
        They were held for 2 million dollars ransom.
        They were held to ransom.
        • 2010, Caroline Alexander, The War That Killed Achilles: The True Story of Homer's Iliad:
          As rich as was the ransom Priam paid for Hektor, Hermes says, his remaining sons at Troy “'would give three times as much ransom / for you, who are alive, were Atreus' son Agamemnon / to recognize you.'”

      Usage notes

      • For is much more common in the US, to in the UK.

      Related terms

      Translations

      money paid for the freeing of a hostage

      Verb

      ransom (third-person singular simple present ransoms, present participle ransoming, simple past and past participle ransomed)

      1. (14th century) To deliver, especially in context of sin or relevant penalties.
      2. To pay a price to set someone free from captivity or punishment.
        to ransom prisoners from an enemy
      3. To exact a ransom for, or a payment on.
        Such lands as he had rule of he ransomed them so grievously, and would tax the men two or three times in a year. — Berners.

      Translations

      to pay a price to set someone free

      See also

      References

      Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary: Tenth Edition 1997

      Anagrams

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      Last modified on 18 June 2013, at 20:20