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   Ran·som

   /ˈransəm/

   

   noun

   • 1. a sum of money or other payment demanded or paid for the release of a prisoner: "the kidnappers demanded a ransom" Similar payoffpaymentprice
   • ▪ the holding or freeing of a prisoner in return for payment of ransom: "the capture and ransom of the king" Similar releasefreedomsetting freedeliveranceliberationrescueredemptionrestoration

   verb

   • 1. obtain the release of (a prisoner) by making a payment demanded: "the lord was captured in war and had to be ransomed"
   • ▪ hold (a prisoner) and demand payment for their release: "mercenaries burned the village and ransomed the inhabitants"
   • ▪ release (a prisoner) after receiving payment: "they were all ransomed and returned unharmed"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French ransoun (noun), ransouner (verb), from Latin redemptio(n-) ‘ransoming, releasing’ (see redemption). Early use also occurred in theological contexts expressing ‘deliverance’ and ‘atonement’.

   Scrabble Points: 8

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   • M

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