Ransom

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈrænsÉ™m/

Origin

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

Full definition of ransom

Noun

1. Money paid for the freeing of a hostage.They were held for two million dollars ransom.They were held to ransom.
• 1674, John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book XII:Thy ransom paid, which man from death redeems.
• Sir J. DaviesHis captivity in Austria, and the heavy ransom he paid for his liberty.
• 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.'”
2. The release of a captive, or of captured property, by payment of a consideration.prisoners hopeless of ransom
3. (historical, legal, UK) A sum paid for the pardon of some great offence and the discharge of the offender; also, a fine paid in lieu of corporal punishment.

Usage notes

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

Derived terms

• king's ransom

Verb

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.

Anagrams

• manors
• morans
• normas
• ramson
• Romans