ransom

Meanings

Noun

• Money paid for the freeing of a hostage.
• The release of a captive, or of captured property, by payment of a consideration.
• 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.

Verb

• To deliver, especially in context of sin or relevant penalties.
• To pay a price to set someone free from captivity or punishment.
• To exact a ransom (payment) in exchange for the freedom of.

Origin

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