ran-somer
səm| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
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
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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ransom (ˈrænsəm) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | the release of captured prisoners, property, etc, on payment of a stipulated price |
| 2. | the price demanded or stipulated for such a release |
| 3. | rescue or redemption of any kind |
| 4. | hold to ransom |
| a. to keep (prisoners, property, etc) in confinement until payment for their release is made or received | |
| b. to attempt to force (a person or persons) to comply with one's demands | |
| 5. | a king's ransom a very large amount of money or valuables |
| —vb | |
| 6. | to pay a stipulated price and so obtain the release of (prisoners, property, etc) |
| 7. | to set free (prisoners, property, etc) upon receiving the payment demanded |
| 8. | to redeem; rescue: Christ ransomed men from sin |
| [C14: from Old French ransoun, from Latin redemptiō a buying back, | |
| 'ransomer | |
| —n | |
| Ransom (ˈrænsəm) | |
| —n | |
| John Crowe. 1888--1974, US poet and critic | |
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ransom
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Ransom definition
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.)
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