prize

Meanings

Noun

• That which is taken from another; something captured; a thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power.
• Anything captured by a belligerent using the rights of war; especially, property captured at sea in virtue of the rights of war, as a vessel.
• An honour or reward striven for in a competitive contest; anything offered to be competed for, or as an inducement to, or reward of, effort.
• That which may be won by chance, as in a lottery.
• Anything worth striving for; a valuable possession held or in prospect.
• A contest for a reward; competition.
• A lever; a pry; also, the hold of a lever.

Verb

• To consider highly valuable; to esteem.
• To set or estimate the value of; to appraise; to price; to rate.
• To move with a lever; to force up or open; to prise or pry.
• To compete in a prizefight.

Adjective

• Having won a prize; award-winning.
• first-rate; exceptional

Origin

• From Middle English prise, from Old French prise ("a taking, capture, a seizure, a thing seized, a prize, booty, also hold, purchase"), past participle of prendre, from Latin prendere ("to take, seize"); see prehend. Compare prison, apprise, comprise, enterprise, purprise, reprisal, surprise, etc.
• From Middle English prysen, borrowed from Old French priser ("to set a price or value on, esteem, value"), from pris, from Latin pretium ("price, value"), whence price; see also praise, a doublet. Compare appraise, apprize.
• Alternative forms.