prise

[ prahyz ]

/ praɪz /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR prise ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), prised, pris·ing, noun

prize³.

Nearby words

pripet, pripet marshes, prisage, priscian, priscilla, prise, prisere, prisiadka, prism, prism bar, prism binocular

Can be confused

prise prize

Definition for prise (2 of 2)

prize

or prise

[ prahyz ]

/ praɪz /

verb (used with object), prized, priz·ing.

pry².

noun

leverage.

a lever.

Origin of prize

1350–1400; Middle English prise < Middle French: a hold, grasp < Latin pre(hē)nsa. See prize¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for prise

For Churchill, politics and literature were two sides of the same career,” Rose writes, “impossible to prise apart.
Churchill Would Be Famous Today on the Strength of His Writing Alone|Anthony Paletta|June 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With a powerful lever the soldiers attempted to prise open the door of the columbarium, shaking the edifice on its foundations.
The Death of the Gods|Dmitri Mrejkowski
On one occasion he secured a large screw-driver and attempted to prise open the door.
Gorillas & Chimpanzees|R. L. Garner
With his sword he hewed and hacked at the stout oak door, whilst Stuteley sought to prise it open.
Robin Hood|Paul Creswick

Then Ariobarzanes departed the listes: and the Prince withoute any great resistance wan the prise and victory.
The Palace of Pleasure|William Painter
If you cannot find a plank, set half a dozen men to prise up a couple from the floor.
Under Wellington's Command|G. A. Henty

British Dictionary definitions for prise (1 of 4)

prise

prize

/ (praɪz) /

verb (tr)

to force open by levering

to extract or obtain with difficultythey had to prise the news out of him

noun

rare, or dialect a tool involving leverage in its use or the leverage so employed

US and Canadian equivalent: pry

Word Origin for prise

C17: from Old French prise a taking, from prendre to take, from Latin prehendere; see prize 1

British Dictionary definitions for prise (2 of 4)

prize

/ (praɪz) /

noun

a reward or honour for victory or for having won a contest, competition, etc
(as modifier)prize jockey; prize essay

something given to the winner of any game of chance, lottery, etc

something striven for

any valuable property captured in time of war, esp a vessel

Word Origin for prize

C14: from Old French prise a capture, from Latin prehendere to seize; influenced also by Middle English prise reward; see price

British Dictionary definitions for prise (3 of 4)

prize

/ (praɪz) /

verb

(tr) to esteem greatly; value highly

Word Origin for prize

C15 prise, from Old French preisier to praise

British Dictionary definitions for prise (4 of 4)

prize

/ (praɪz) /

verb, noun

a variant spelling of prise

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012