ransom
[ran-suh m]
- the redemption of a prisoner, slave, or kidnapped person, of captured goods, etc., for a price.
- the sum or price paid or demanded.
- a means of deliverance or rescue from punishment for sin, especially the payment of a redemptive fine.
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- to redeem from captivity, bondage, detention, etc., by paying a demanded price.
- to release or restore on receipt of a ransom.
- to deliver or redeem from punishment for sin.
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Origin of ransom
1150–1200; (noun) Middle English ransoun < Old French rançon < Late Latin redēmptiōn- (stem of redēmptiō) redemption; (v.) Middle English ransounen < Old French rançonner, derivative of rançon
Synonyms
See more synonyms for ransom on Thesaurus.comRansom
[ran-suh m]
- John Crowe [kroh] /kroʊ/, 1888–1974, U.S. poet, critic, and teacher.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for ransom
Contemporary Examples
“I noticed something,” I say to Marvin, feeling a little like Ransom Stoddard, attorney at law.
At the same time, we should expect a rise in kidnapping for ransom.
FBI spokesman Paul Bresson said that the bureau fully complies with U.S. policy as it relates to ransom payments.
European governments, for their part, have long agreed to pay groups like ISIS ransom money.
Where do you think the ransom money for Western hostages is going?
Historical Examples
“I am afraid he is past ransom,” said the youth, shaking his head.
The Armourer's PrenticesCharlotte M. Yonge
Ransom at long range will be about the size of it—cash or crash.
American NotesRudyard Kipling
So a king's ransom is what Benlli paid for his wife's diamond ring.
Welsh Fairy TalesWilliam Elliott Griffis
Gutierrez will be your willing servant, until we see about this ransom.
Nareda will pay it—and Nareda will collect the ransom from the American capitalists.
ransom
- the release of captured prisoners, property, etc, on payment of a stipulated price
- the price demanded or stipulated for such a release
- rescue or redemption of any kind
- hold to ransom
- to keep (prisoners, property, etc) in confinement until payment for their release is made or received
- to attempt to force (a person or persons) to comply with one's demands
- a king's ransom a very large amount of money or valuables
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- to pay a stipulated price and so obtain the release of (prisoners, property, etc)
- to set free (prisoners, property, etc) upon receiving the payment demanded
- to redeem; rescueChrist ransomed men from sin
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French ransoun, from Latin redemptiō a buying back, redemption
Ransom
- John Crowe . 1888–1974, US poet and critic
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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
Word Origin and History for ransom
n.
c.1200, "sum paid for the release of a prisoner or captured man," from Old French ranson (Modern French rançon), earlier raenson "ransom, redemption," from Latin redemptionem (nominative redemptio) "a redeeming," from redimere (see redeem).
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early 14c., from ransom (n.). Related: Ransomed; ransoming.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with ransom
ransom
see king's ransom.
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.