ran|som

ran|som «RAN suhm», noun, verb.

–n.

1. the price paid or demanded before a captive is set free: »

The robber chief held the travelers prisoners for ransom.

2. a ransoming; redemption, as of a prisoner, slave, or captured goods, for a price.

3. a means of delivering or rescuing, as from sin or its consequences: »

Even the Son of man came…to give his life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

–v.t.

1. to obtain the release of (a captive) by paying a price: »

They ransomed the kidnaped child with a great sum of money. O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel (J. M. Neale).

2. to redeem or deliver, especially from sin or ignorance: »

Poor sick people, richer in His eyes who ransomed us…than I (Tennyson).

3. to release upon payment.

4. to hold for ransom; demand a ransom for.

╂[Middle English ranscun < Old French rançon, earlier raençon < Latin redemptiō, -ōnis. See etym. of doublet redemption. (Cf. ↑redemption)]

–ran´som|er, noun.