Sekirov Dictionary

ransom

/ˈɹæn.səm/

noun 3
verb 3
forms 4
phrases 1

noun3

•
money that criminals who have taken a person want to be paid before they let that person go
- They were held for two million dollars ransom.
- They were held to ransom.
•
(UK, historical) A 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 — 1765
•
The release of a captive, or of captured property, by payment of a consideration.
- Till the fair slave be rendered to her sire; And ransom-free restored to his abode — 1701

verb3

•
To pay a price to set someone free from captivity or punishment.
- 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. — 1587
•
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, […] — 2017
(no longer used) To deliver, especially in context of sin or relevant penalties.

forms

ransomed · ransoming · ransometh · ransoms

Phrases with ransom

king's ransom
A very large sum of money.

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