ransom

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Money paid for the freeing of a hostage.

   They were held for two million dollars ransom.

2. 2
   noun

   The release of a captive, or of captured property, by payment of a consideration.

   Prisoners hopeless of ransom.

3. 3
   noun

   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.

4. 4
   verb

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

   To ransom prisoners from an enemy.

Simplified etymology

Ransom ultimately comes from the Latin root redimere “buy back,” also found in redeem and redemption. In medieval times it referred to a sum paid so that a captured enemy could be released.

From the Middle English ransoun, from the Old French raençon, from stem of Latin redēmptiō. Entered English ca. the 13th century. Doublet of redemption.

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