Ransom Meaning
/ˈɹæn.səm/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounMoney paid for the freeing of a hostage.
nounThe release of a captive, or of captured property, by payment of a consideration.
Sentence Examples
The hijacker demanded a ransom of two million dollars.
Tom withdrew three hundred thousand dollars from the bank to pay the ransom.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ruthless kidnappers demanded a large ____ for the safe return of the little child.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The kidnappers demanded a large ____ for the safe return of the businessman's daughter.
Word Origin & History
From the Middle English ransoun, from the Old French raençon, from stem of Latin redēmptiō. Entered English ca. the 13th century. Doublet of redemption.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Thy ransom paid, which man from death redeems."
— 1667, John Milton, “Book XII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"His captivity in Austria, and the heavy ransom he paid for his liberty."
— 1612, John Davies, Discoverie of the True Causes why Ireland was never entirely subdued:
""I'll give thee for my ransom the very best harnéss
That either young or old in the world doth possess.""
— 1850, Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology, London: H.G. Bohn, page 210:
"As rich as was the ransom Priam paid for Hektor, Hermes says, his remaining sons at Troy “'would give three times as much ransom / for you, who are alive, were Atreus' son Agamemnon / to recognize you.'”"
— 2010, Caroline Alexander, The War That Killed Achilles: The True Story of Homer's Iliad:
"Till the fair slave be rendered to her sire; And ransom-free restored to his abode"
— a. 1701 (date written), John Dryden, “The First Book of Homer’s Ilias”, in The Miscellaneous Works of John Dryden, […], volume IV, London: […] J[acob] and R[ichard] Tonson, […], published 1760, →OCLC:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The ruthless kidnappers demanded a large ____ for the safe return of the little child.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The kidnappers demanded a large ____ for the safe return of the businessman's daughter.