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prize

1
[ prahyz ]
/ praɪz /
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See synonyms for: prize / prized / prizes / prizing on Thesaurus.com

noun
adjective
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Origin of prize

1
First recorded in 1250–1300; in senses referring to something seized, continuing Middle English prise “something captured, a seizing, requisition,” from Old French prise “capture (of a ship), booty,” from Vulgar Latin prēsa, prēnsa (unrecorded), from Latin pre(hē)nsa, noun use of feminine past participle of pre(he)ndere “to take, grasp, seize”; in senses referring to something won, spelling variant since the late 16th century of Middle English pris(e) price

synonym study for prize

1. See reward.

Other definitions for prize (2 of 3)

prize2
[ prahyz ]
/ praɪz /

verb (used with object), prized, priz·ing.
to value or esteem highly.
to estimate the worth or value of.

Origin of prize

2
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English prisen “to set a price, appraise,” from Middle French prisier, priser, variants of Old French preisier “to value, appraise”; see praise

Other definitions for prize (3 of 3)

prize3

or prise

[ prahyz ]
/ praɪz /

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

Origin of prize

3
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English noun prise, from Middle French prise “a hold, grasp,” from Latin pre(hē)nsa; see prize1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use prize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for prize (1 of 3)

prize1
/ (praɪz) /

noun
  1. a reward or honour for victory or for having won a contest, competition, etc
  2. (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 prize (2 of 3)

prize2
/ (praɪz) /

verb
(tr) to esteem greatly; value highly

Word Origin for prize

C15 prise, from Old French preisier to praise

British Dictionary definitions for prize (3 of 3)

prize3
/ (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
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