Definitions for ransomˈræn səm

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Random House Webster's College Dictionary

ran•somˈræn səm(n.)

  1. the redemption of a prisoner, kidnapped person, etc., for a price.

  2. the price paid or demanded for such redemption.

  3. deliverance or rescue from punishment for sin or the means for this, esp. the payment of a redemptive fine.

    Category: Religion

  4. (v.t.)to redeem from detention, bondage, etc., by paying a demanded price.

  5. to deliver or redeem from punishment for sin.

Origin of ransom:

1150–1200; ransoun < OF rançon

Ran•somˈræn səm(n.)

  1. John Crowe, 1888–1974, U.S. poet, critic, and teacher.

    Category: Biography

Princeton's WordNet

  1. ransom, ransom money(noun)

    money demanded for the return of a captured person

  2. ransom(noun)

    payment for the release of someone

  3. ransom(verb)

    the act of freeing from captivity or punishment

  4. ransom, redeem(verb)

    exchange or buy back for money; under threat

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

  1. ransom(noun)ˈræn səm

    an amount of money demanded for the release of a hostage or prisoner

    to demand a ransom; a ransom note

Wiktionary

  1. ransom(Noun)

    Money paid for the freeing of a hostage.

  2. ransom(Verb)

    To deliver, especially in context of sin or relevant penalties.

  3. ransom(Verb)

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

    to ransom prisoners from an enemy

  4. ransom(Verb)

    To exact a ransom for, or a payment on.

    Such lands as he had rule of he ransomed them so grievously, and would tax the men two or three times in a year. uE000176397uE001 Berners.

  5. Origin: From the ransoun, from the rançon, from stem of redemptio. (See redemption.) Entered English ca. the 13th century

Webster Dictionary

  1. Ransom(noun)

    the release of a captive, or of captured property, by payment of a consideration; redemption; as, prisoners hopeless of ransom

  2. Ransom(noun)

    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

  3. Ransom(noun)

    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

  4. Ransom(noun)

    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

  5. Ransom(noun)

    to exact a ransom for, or a payment on


Translations for ransom

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary

ransom(verb)

to pay money etc to free (someone).

Get even more translations for ransom »


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