PRISONER Meaning and
Definition
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A prisoner is an individual who has been confined or detained against their will due to their involvement in a criminal act, court proceedings, or any other circumstance that restricts their freedom and movement. Typically, prisoners are held in penal institutions such as prisons, jails, or correctional facilities under the lawful authority of the government or relevant legal authorities.
The primary purpose of imprisoning individuals is to punish them for their crimes, protect society from potential harm, and attempt to rehabilitate or reform their behavior. Prisoners are usually deprived of certain basic rights and privileges, including limited personal autonomy, restricted communication and visitation, and modified access to resources. They are required to adhere to a set of rules and regulations established within the prison system.
While incarcerated, a prisoner may serve a specific sentence determined by a court or await trial if they have been accused but not convicted of a crime. The duration of imprisonment can vary greatly depending on the severity of the offense committed and the applicable legal framework.
In addition to the legal context of criminal confinement, the term "prisoner" can also encompass individuals who are held against their will in captivity by non-governmental entities, such as hostages or those detained in war or conflict situations. These individuals may not be subject to the same legal procedures and safeguards as prisoners within the criminal justice system.
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One who is confined in a prison; a captive; one whose liberty is restrained.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for PRISONER *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for PRISONER
Etymology of PRISONER
The word "prisoner" originated in Middle English as "prisounere" or "prisounur", which can be traced back to the Old French term "prisonnier". The Old French word was derived from the Latin "prehensor", meaning "one who seizes or arrests", which ultimately comes from the verb "prehendere", meaning "to seize" or "to catch". The Latin term was a combination of the prefix "pre-" (meaning "before" or "forward") and the verb "hendere" (meaning "to grasp" or "to hold"). Over time, the word evolved into its current form "prisoner", referring to an individual deprived of liberty and held in confinement.
Idioms with the word PRISONER
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prisoner of conscience
The idiom "prisoner of conscience" refers to an individual who is imprisoned or detained solely because of their beliefs, values, or principles. It commonly applies to human rights activists, political dissidents, or individuals who express their opinions or engage in peaceful protest against an oppressive regime or unjust laws. These prisoners are considered to be victims of unjust imprisonment due to their steadfast commitment to their convictions and refusal to compromise their principles.
Similar spelling words for PRISONER
- presented,
- progne,
- press on,
- prison term,
- present,
- prison,
- prison farm,
- prison cell,
- presume,
- presenter,
- prismoid,
- procyon,
- prisonlike,
- Priscoan,
- presson,
- presnell,
- presence,
- preconceive,
- prisonbreak,
- prison camp.
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