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ransom

 - 9 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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Word Origin & History

ransom  (n.)
c.1225, "sum paid for the release of a prisoner or captured man," from O.Fr. ranson (Fr. rançon), earlier raenson "ransom, redemption," from L. redemptionem (nom. redemptio) "a redeeming," from redimere (see redeem). The verb is first recorded c.1300.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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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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