[ˈrans(ə)m], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a sum of money demanded or paid for the release of a captive
(e.g: the kidnappers demanded a ransom)


Phrases:
- a king's ransom
- hold someone to ransom

Origin:
Middle English: from Old French ransoun (noun), ransouner (verb), from Latin redemptio(n-) ‘ransoming, releasing’ (see redemption). Early use also occurred in theological contexts expressing ‘deliverance’ and ‘atonement’

[ˈrans(ə)m], (Verb)

Definitions:
- obtain the release of (a captive) by paying a ransom
(e.g: the lord was captured in war and had to be ransomed)


Phrases:
- a king's ransom
- hold someone to ransom

Origin:
Middle English: from Old French ransoun (noun), ransouner (verb), from Latin redemptio(n-) ‘ransoming, releasing’ (see redemption). Early use also occurred in theological contexts expressing ‘deliverance’ and ‘atonement’