ransom

nounverbcommon in dialogue

//ˈɹæn.səm//

Money paid for the freeing of a hostage.

noun

1
Money paid for the freeing of a hostage.
They were held for two million dollars ransom.
They were held to ransom.
Thy ransom paid, which man from death redeems.
His captivity in Austria, and the heavy ransom he paid for his liberty.
2
The release of a captive, or of captured property, by payment of a consideration.
prisoners hopeless of ransom
Till the fair slave be rendered to her sire; And ransom-free restored to his abode
3
historicalA sum paid for the pardon of some great offence and the discharge of the offender; also, a fine paid in lieu of corporal punishment.
punished with imprisonment and ransom at the King's will

Etymology

From the Middle English ransoun, from the Old French raençon, from stem of Latin redēmptiō. Entered English ca. the 13th century. Doublet of redemption.

verb

1
obsoleteTo deliver, especially in context of sin or relevant penalties.
2
To pay a price to set someone free from captivity or punishment.
to ransom prisoners from an enemy
And gainſt the General we will lift our ſwords And either lanch his greedie thirſting throat, Or take him priſoner, and his chaine ſhall ſerue For Manackles, till he be ranſom’d home.
3
To exact a ransom (payment) in exchange for the freedom of.
Terrorists will continue to hold few detainees in undisclosed locations in order to ransom them for money or some other material profit, […]

Forms

plural: ransoms
past tense: ransomed
past participle: ransomed
present participle: ransoming
third person singular: ransoms

Rank · A surname.ranked · That has been arranged or organized in ranks or by rank.ranking · Having a specified rank.

ransom · Money paid for the freeing of a hostage.

Ransom · A surname.Rao · A surname.Raoul · A surname from French.

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