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ransom

 - 8 dictionary results

ran⋅som

  [ran-suhm]
Use ransom in a Sentence
–noun
1. the redemption of a prisoner, slave, or kidnapped person, of captured goods, etc., for a price.
2. the sum or price paid or demanded.
3. a means of deliverance or rescue from punishment for sin, esp. the payment of a redemptive fine.
–verb (used with object)
4. to redeem from captivity, bondage, detention, etc., by paying a demanded price.
5. to release or restore on receipt of a ransom.
6. to deliver or redeem from punishment for sin.
Origin:
1150–1200; (n.) ME ransoun < OF rançon < LL redēmptiōn- (s. of redēmptiō) redemption; (v.) ME ransounen < OF rançonner, deriv. of rançon

Related forms:
ran⋅som⋅er, noun

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

Ran⋅som

  [ran-suhm]
–noun
John Crowe  [kroh] , 1888–1974, U.S. poet, critic, and teacher.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To ransom
ran·som   (rān'səm)   
n.  

    1. The release of property or a person in return for payment of a demanded price.

    2. The price or payment demanded or paid for such release.

  2. A redemption from sin and its consequences.

tr.v.   ran·somed, ran·som·ing, ran·soms

    1. To obtain the release of by paying a certain price.

    2. To release after receiving such a payment.

  2. To deliver from sin and its consequences.


[Middle English ransome, from Old French rançon, from Latin redēmptiō, redēmptiōn-, a buying back; see redemption.]
ran'som·er n.
Ran·som   (rān'səm)   
American poet and critic. The founder and editor (1939-1959) of the Kenyon Review, he was a leading proponent of New Criticism. His collections of poetry include Chills and Fevers (1924).
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: ran·som
Function: noun
: a consideration paid or demanded for the release of someone or something from captivity —see also KIDNAPPING

Main Entry: ransom
Function: transitive verb
: to free from captivity by paying a price
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Bible Dictionary

Ransom

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.)

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Idioms & Phrases

ransom

see king's ransom.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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