ransom Hear it!

ransom Definition

ran·som (ransəm)

noun

  1. the redeeming or release of a captive or of seized property by paying money or complying with other demands
  2. the price thus paid or demanded
  3. deliverance from sin; redemption

Etymology: ME raunson < OFr raençon < L redemptio, redemption

transitive verb

  1. to obtain the release of (a captive or property) by paying the demanded price
  2. Now Rare to release after such payment
  3. to deliver from sin; redeem

ransom Related Forms
ran·somer noun
Ransom Definition

Ran·som (ransəm)

Ransom, John Crowe (krō) 1888-1974; U.S. poet & critic

ransom Synonyms

ransom

n.

redemption money, price, payment, payoff*; see bribe.

ransom Synonyms

ransom

v.

release, rescue, deliver, recover, regain, emancipate, unchain, unfetter, buy off, extricate, reprieve, liberate, save; see also free 1, redeem 1, rescue 1, 2. See syn. study at rescue.

ransom Law Definition

n

The money paid to secure the release of a person held captive, whether as a result of having been kidnapped or captured in some other way; the release of a captured person in exchange for money or other consideration.

v

To gain the release of a captive by paying the price demanded; to hold a person captive and insist on payment as the condition of release.
ransom Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • pay: Paying the ransom did not mark the end of the company's problems.
  • demand: He has demanded a ransom - for 24 hours there will be no killing in the world!
  • raise: Müller claimed that the reason he was released to try to raise the ransom was that he was German.
  • accept: John then forcibly gained possession of Maud and her children, but ultimately accepted a ransom.
  • hold: She cannot be copyrighted by one body, or held ransom by any particular history.
  • find: What is that to you, what encroachment it be on His holiness, since He has declared that He has found a ransom?

Adjective modifier

  • huge: Abel Ridley, an English knight, spares his life for the promise of a huge ransom.
  • large: His capture therefore could have resulted in a large ransom being demanded from the monastery, the wealthy house of the day.
  • enormous: The ' Lionheart ' was eventually freed but only after an enormous ransom had been paid.

Modifies a noun

  • strip: However, Mrs A's title to the ransom strip was recorded in the Land Registry's relevant title number.
  • demand: The group issued ransom demands of up to £ 10 million in exchange for the return of the files.
  • note: Ann finds the ransom note hidden in her post.
  • money: Mr Howes was then told by the Khmer Rouge leader to return to MAG for ransom money.
  • price: He has paid the ransom price in his own body on the cross of Calvary.
  • value: Such value may be taken to include any development or ransom value present.

Noun used with modifier

  • king: Better bike If money is no object you can spend a kings ransom on bikes and bike bits.

Possessives

  • king: For the rustic country kitchen, A king's ransom 's due For the modern mostest hostess Nothing less will do.

Preposition: for

  • man: But it's not too late to change forever's shape Because of One who came to pay the ransom for men like you.
  • people: He " gave himself as a ransom for all people " .
  • many.: Jesus said later that he would die to give his life as a ransom for many. That's Mark 10.45.

Browse dictionary entries near ransom

  1. ransack
  2. ranks
  3. rankling
  4. rankle
  5. ranking
  6. Rankine-cycle engine
  7. Rankine
  8. ranker
  9. ranked
  10. Ranke
  1. rant
  2. ranting
  3. ranula
  4. ranunculus
  5. rap
  6. rap sheet
  7. Rapa Nui
  8. rapacious
  9. rapacity
  10. rape