ransom
[ran-suhm]
- 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
redemptionpricereleasecompensationdeliverancebribepayoffpaymentrescueexpiationregainrecoverdeliverfreeredeemextricatemanumitsaveliberateemancipateExamples from the Web for ransomed
Contemporary Examples
The earl was killed in battle and Marshal captured, but he would later be ransomed by the queen herself.
Historical Examples
Madre Mia, when you are ransomed away from here it will please me!
The Gould Concession had ransomed its way through all those years.
Nostromo: A Tale of the SeaboardJoseph Conrad
That night a ransomed one went away from the earth, and God took him.
Left at HomeMary L. Code
The girl you love has ransomed you: go therefore and be worthy of her.
In Kings' BywaysStanley J. Weyman
We think you will be ransomed by the help of the many friends you have in court.
Historical Tales, Vol. 6 (of 15)Charles Morris
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 ransomed
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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ransom
early 14c., from ransom (n.). Related: Ransomed; ransoming.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with ransomed
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.