ransom

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[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

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

[edit] Noun

ransom (usually uncountable; plural ransoms)

  1. Money paid for the freeing of a hostage.
    They were held for 2 million dollars ransom.
    They were held to ransom.
    • 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.'”

[edit] Usage notes

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

[edit] Related terms

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

ransom (third-person singular simple present ransoms, present participle ransoming, simple past and past participle ransomed)

  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.

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also

[edit] References

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary: Tenth Edition 1997

[edit] Anagrams

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