ransom 
ransom
Definition
ran·som (ran′səm)
noun
- the redeeming or release of a captive or of seized property by paying money or complying with other demands
- the price thus paid or demanded
- deliverance from sin; redemption
Etymology: ME raunson < OFr raençon < L redemptio, redemption
transitive verb
- to obtain the release of (a captive or property) by paying the demanded price
- Now Rare to release after such payment
- to deliver from sin; redeem
ran′·somer noun
Ransom
Definition
Ran·som (ran′səm)
Ransom, John Crowe (krō) 1888-1974; U.S. poet & critic
ransom
Synonyms
ransom
Synonyms
ransom
v.
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
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