ransom Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun money demanded for the return of a captured person
    ransom money.
  2. noun payment for the release of someone
  3. noun the act of freeing from captivity or punishment
  4. verb exchange or buy back for money; under threat
    redeem.

WordNet

Ran"som noun
Etymology
OE. raunson, raunsoun, OF. ran&cced;on, raen&cced;on, raan&cced;on, F. ran&cced;on, fr. L. redemptio, fr. redimere to redeem. See Redeem, and cf. Redemption.
Definitions
  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) 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. Kent.
Ran"som transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F. ran&cced;onner. See Ransom, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Ransomed ; present participle & verbal noun Ransoming
Definitions
  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.

Webster 1913