- Ransom bill
- Ransom Ran"som (r[a^]n"s[u^]m), n. [OE. raunson, raunsoun, OF.
ran[,c]on, raen[,c]on, raan[,c]on, F. ran[,c]on, fr. L.
redemptio, fr. redimere to redeem. See {Redeem}, and cf.
{Redemption}.]
1. The release of a captive, or of captured property, by
payment of a consideration; redemption; as, prisoners
hopeless of ransom. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
2. The money or price paid for the redemption of a prisoner, or for goods captured by an enemy; payment for freedom from restraint, penalty, or forfeit. [1913 Webster]
Thy ransom paid, which man from death redeems. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
His captivity in Austria, and the heavy ransom he paid for his liberty. --Sir J. Davies. [1913 Webster]
3. (O. Eng. Law) A sum paid for the pardon of some great offense and the discharge of the offender; also, a fine paid in lieu of corporal punishment. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster]
{Ransom bill} (Law), a war contract, valid by the law of nations, for the ransom of property captured at sea and its safe conduct into port. --Kent. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.