RANSOM Meaning and
Definition
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Ransom, as a noun, refers to a sum of money or other valuable assets demanded or paid for the release of a captive or the fulfillment of a particular condition. It is typically used in the context of kidnapping or unlawful detainment, where a ransom is requested by the captors as a bargaining tool. The purpose of the ransom is to secure the safe return of the captive individual(s) or to meet a specific demand set by the kidnappers.
As a verb, to ransom means to deliver a captive person or fulfill a condition by paying a demanded sum of money or valuables. The act of ransoming involves exchanging the agreed-upon ransom for the release of the captive or fulfilling the stipulated terms. This process often requires negotiations between the captors and the party responsible for paying the ransom.
Historically, ransoms have been prevalent in various forms of warfare, where prisoners would be released in exchange for a monetary payment or concessions. Today, ransom is often associated with criminal activities or high-stakes situations, such as hostage takings or cyber extortion.
In essence, ransom involves a transaction where money or assets are exchanged to secure the freedom, safety, or satisfaction of specific conditions for individuals held against their will.
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• Price paid for the freedom of a prisoner or slave, or for the restitution of goods taken by an enemy; a fine paid for pardon, or in lieu of corporal punishment.
• To free from captivity, slavery, or punishment, by the payment of a price; to redeem from the bondage or punishment of sin.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for RANSOM *
* 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 RANSOM
Etymology of RANSOM
The word "ransom" derives from the Old French term "ranson" or "raençon", which itself comes from the Late Latin word "redemptiō", meaning "a buying back" or "a redemption". "Redemptiō" is the noun form of the verb "redimere", which means "to redeem" or "to buy back". Over time, "redemptiō" transformed into "raençon" or "ranson" in Old French and eventually evolved into the English word "ransom".
Idioms with the word RANSOM
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a king's ransom
The idiom "a king's ransom" refers to an enormous amount of money or valuable possessions required as a ransom or payment. It implies an exorbitant or hefty sum of money or an extraordinary price for something. The term is derived from the historical practice of demanding a vast amount of money or treasures for the release of a king or a person of high significance who has been captured or held hostage.
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hold sb to ransom
The idiom "hold sb to ransom" means to have control or power over someone by threatening harm, punishment, or negative consequences unless certain demands or conditions are met.
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hold to ransom
The idiom "hold to ransom" means to intentionally detain, control, or manipulate someone or something, typically by threatening harm or demanding a ransom or specific conditions in exchange for their release or freedom. It suggests exerting power or influence over someone or something as leverage to achieve one's own goals or requests.
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hold for ransom
The idiom "hold for ransom" refers to the act of holding someone or something captive, typically for the purpose of demanding a large sum of money or valuable items in exchange for their release. It can also refer to any situation where a person or entity is demanding payment or something of value in order to return or release something or someone they have control over.
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king's ransom
The idiom "king's ransom" refers to an extremely large amount of money or valuable assets that are demanded as a ransom or payment for someone or something. It implies that the amount requested is exorbitant and comparable to the wealth possessed by a king.
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hold sm for ransom
The idiom "hold someone for ransom" refers to the act of detaining or keeping hold of someone against their will and demanding a sum of money as a condition for their release. It is typically used figuratively to describe a situation where someone is seeking a significant reward or benefit in exchange for fulfilling a request or meeting a demand.
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hold somebody to ransom
The idiom "hold somebody to ransom" refers to the act of exerting power or control over someone by holding something valuable or important to them as leverage, typically demanding a payment or specific actions in return for releasing it. It can also be used more broadly to describe any situation where someone is held hostage or manipulated for personal gain or advantage.
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a king’s ransom
The idiom "a king's ransom" is used to describe an exorbitant amount of money or a very high price. It refers to the historically large sum of money that would be demanded as a ransom for a king or noble person who has been captured or kidnapped.
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hold (one) to ransom
The idiom "hold (one) to ransom" means to have total control over someone or something and to use that power to demand something desired, often by threatening harm or negative consequences if the demands are not met. It implies holding someone as a hostage, figuratively or literally, until certain demands are fulfilled.
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hold someone or something to ransom
The idiom "hold someone or something to ransom" means to exert control over someone or something by demanding unwarranted or exorbitant concessions or payments. It refers to a situation where a person or entity secures their desired outcome, advantage, or compensation by threatening harm, loss, or restriction against another person or entity.
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hold someone to ransom
The idiom "hold someone to ransom" refers to exerting power over someone by demanding something from them, usually in an aggressive or threatening manner, in order to gain an advantage or blackmail them. It implies using someone's vulnerability or a situation to force them into meeting certain demands.
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hold someone for ransom
The idiom "hold someone for ransom" means to keep someone as a captive or hostage, demanding a specific amount of money in return for their release.
Similar spelling words for RANSOM
Conjugate verb Ransom
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have ransomed
you
would have ransomed
he/she/it
would have ransomed
we
would have ransomed
they
would have ransomed
I
would have ransom
you
would have ransom
he/she/it
would have ransom
we
would have ransom
they
would have ransom
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been ransoming
you
would have been ransoming
he/she/it
would have been ransoming
we
would have been ransoming
they
would have been ransoming
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would ransom
you
would ransom
he/she/it
would ransom
we
would ransom
they
would ransom
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be ransoming
you
would be ransoming
he/she/it
would be ransoming
we
would be ransoming
they
would be ransoming
FUTURE
I
will ransom
you
will ransom
he/she/it
will ransom
we
will ransom
they
will ransom
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be ransoming
you
will be ransoming
he/she/it
will be ransoming
we
will be ransoming
they
will be ransoming
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have ransomed
you
will have ransomed
he/she/it
will have ransomed
we
will have ransomed
they
will have ransomed
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been ransoming
you
will have been ransoming
he/she/it
will have been ransoming
we
will have been ransoming
they
will have been ransoming
IMPERATIVE
you
ransom
we
let´s ransom
to ransom
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was ransoming
you
were ransoming
he/she/it
was ransoming
we
were ransoming
they
were ransoming
PAST PARTICIPLE
ransomed
PAST PERFECT
I
had ransomed
you
had ransomed
he/she/it
had ransomed
we
had ransomed
they
had ransomed
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been ransoming
you
had been ransoming
he/she/it
had been ransoming
we
had been ransoming
they
had been ransoming
PRESENT
I
ransom
you
ransom
he/she/it
ransoms
we
ransom
they
ransom
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am ransoming
you
are ransoming
he/she/it
is ransoming
we
are ransoming
they
are ransoming
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
ransoming
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have ransomed
you
have ransomed
he/she/it
has ransomed
we
have ransomed
they
have ransomed
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been ransoming
you
have been ransoming
he/she/it
has been ransoming
we
have been ransoming
they
have been ransoming
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
ransom
SIMPLE PAST
I
ransomed
you
ransomed
he/she/it
ransomed
we
ransomed
they
ransomed
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