RANSOM

ransom

(noun) the act of freeing from captivity or punishment

ransom

(noun) payment for the release of someone

ransom, ransom money

(noun) money demanded for the return of a captured person

ransom, redeem

(verb) exchange or buy back for money; under threat

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

ransom (usually uncountable, plural ransoms)

Money paid for the freeing of a hostage.

The release of a captive, or of captured property, by payment of a consideration.

(historical, legal, UK) A sum paid for the pardon of some great offence and the discharge of the offender; also, a fine paid in lieu of corporal punishment.

Usage notes

• "held for ransom" is much more common in the US, "held to ransom" in the UK.

Verb

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

(14th century) To deliver, especially in context of sin or relevant penalties.

To pay a price to set someone free from captivity or punishment.

To exact a ransom for, or a payment on.

Anagrams

• Armons, Manors, Marons, Marson, Romans, Rosman, manors, morans, mornas, normas, ramson, sarmon

Proper noun

Ransom (plural Ransoms)

A surname.

Statistics

• According to the 2010 United States Census, Ransom is the 2150^th most common surname in the United States, belonging to 16871 individuals. Ransom is most common among White (53.33%) and Black/African American (37.98%) individuals.

Anagrams

• Armons, Manors, Marons, Marson, Romans, Rosman, manors, morans, mornas, normas, ramson, sarmon

Source: Wiktionary

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Ran"som, n. Etym: [OE. raunson, raunsoun, OF. rançon, raençon, raançon, F. rançon, fr. L. redemptio, fr. redimere to redeem. See Redeem, and cf. Redemption.]

1. The release of a captive, or of captive, or of captured property, by payment of a consideration; redemption; as, prisoners hopeless of ransom. Dryden.

2. The money or price paid for the redemption of a prisoner, or for goods captured by an enemy; payment for freedom from restraint, penalty, or forfeit. Thy ransom paid, which man from death redeems. Milton. His captivity in Austria, and the heavy ransom he paid for his liberty. Sir J. Davies/.

3. (O. Eng. Law)

Definition: A sum paid for the pardon of some great offense and the discharge of the offender; also, a fine paid in lieu of corporal punishment. Blackstone. Ransom bill (Law), a war contract, valid by the law of nations, for the ransom of property captured at sea and its safe conduct into port. Kent.

Ran"som, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ransomed; p. pr. & vb. n. Ransoming.] Etym: [Cf. F. rançonner. See Ransom, n.]

1. To redeem from captivity, servitude, punishment, or forfeit, by paying a price; to buy out of servitude or penalty; to rescue; to deliver; as, to ransom prisoners from an enemy.

2. To exact a ransom for, or a payment on. [R.] Such lands as he had rule of he ransomed them so grievously, and would tax the men two or three times in a year. Berners.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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