ransom

[ran-suh m] /ˈræn səm/

noun

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.

verb (used with object)

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.

Origin

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

Related forms

ransomer, noun

unransomed, adjective

Synonyms

1. deliverance, liberation, release. 4. See redeem.

Ransom

[ran-suh m] /ˈræn səm/

noun

John Crowe

[kroh] /kroʊ/ (Show IPA), 1888–1974, U.S. poet, critic, and teacher.

Examples from the web for ransom

Chapter four ransom was walking and he found a lizard and began to talk to it.
Chapter five ransom fell asleep the second he got to the other island.
Chapter six ransom explored the new island the whole next day.
Chapter twelve summary ransom walked back twenty paces into the wood and found his enemy.
The unman was much farther ahead that ransom and he tried to catch up.
Weston began to panic and ransom saw that the darkness of death was coming.
Chapter fifteen summary for the rest of the journey, ransom was hungry and lightheaded.
Chapter sixteen summary voices called out to ransom and asked him questions.
This is often done for ransom or in furtherance of another crime.
The bureau made kidnap for ransom a special priority, and continues to do so today.

British Dictionary definitions for ransom

ransom

/ˈrænsəm/

noun

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

verb (transitive)

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; rescue: Christ ransomed men from sin

Derived Forms

ransomer, noun

Word Origin

C14: from Old French ransoun, from Latin redemptiō a buying back, redemption

Ransom

/ˈrænsəm/

noun

John Crowe. 1888–1974, US poet and critic

Word Origin and History for ransom

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).

early 14c., from ransom (n.). Related: Ransomed; ransoming.

ransom in the Bible

the price or payment made for our redemption, as when it is said that the Son of man "gave his life a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:28; comp. Acts 20:28; Rom. 3:23, 24; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; Gal. 3:13; 4:4, 5: Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; 1 Tim. 2:6; Titus 2:14; 1 Pet. 1:18, 19. In all these passages the same idea is expressed). This word is derived from the Fr. rancon; Lat. redemptio. The debt is represented not as cancelled but as fully paid. The slave or captive is not liberated by a mere gratuitous favour, but a ransom price has been paid, in consideration of which he is set free. The original owner receives back his alienated and lost possession because he has bought it back "with a price." This price or ransom (Gr. lutron) is always said to be Christ, his blood, his death. He secures our redemption by the payment of a ransom. (See REDEMPTION.)

Idioms and Phrases with ransom

ransom

see: king's ransom