ransom English · revision 1646

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈɹæn.səm/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It comes from Middle English ''raunsoun'',^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) [[der|fro|rançon]], earlier ''raenson'',^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) [[der|la|redemptio|t=a buying back]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) from ''redimere'' “to redeem, buy back”.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) It is a doublet of [[redemption]].^(Etymonline) The change of final ''-n'' to ''-m'' also occurred in [[random]] and [[seldom]].^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A payment made for an offence; the price paid for the release of a captive (before 1225 in the OED, probably before 1200 in Barnhart).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Middle English the word also meant redemption from sin and damnation.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The verb appears in the early 14th century, meaning to make amends, to redeem, and to pay for the release of a captive.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Etymonline calls it a faded word somewhat revived by Walter Scott in the early 19th century.^(Etymonline) The OED records the phrase ''a king's ransom'' for a very large sum.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * probably before 1200 – ''rancun'', a fine.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * about 1300 – the price paid for a captive.^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1325 – verb, to make amends; to redeem.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1377 – verb, to free by paying.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The price paid or demanded for the release of a captive or of seized property.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The release of a person or property in return for such a payment.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Deliverance from sin and its consequences; [[redemption]].^(AHD)^(RHWU)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To obtain the release of someone by paying the price demanded.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To release someone after receiving such a payment.^(AHD)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+ # To deliver from sin and its penalty.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[ransomer]]

+ * [[king's ransom]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[redemption]]

+ * [[redeem]]

+ * [[random]]

+ * [[seldom]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Wiktionary notes that ''held for ransom'' is more common in the US and ''held to ransom'' in the UK.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}