n. & v.
n. 1 a the amount of money or goods for which a thing is bought or sold. b value or worth (a pearl of great price; beyond price). 2 what is or must be given, done, sacrificed, etc., to obtain or achieve something. 3 the odds in betting (starting price).
v.tr. 1 fix or find the price of (a thing for sale). 2 estimate the value of. above (or beyond or without) price so valuable that no price can be stated. at any price no matter what the cost, sacrifice, etc. (peace at any price). at a price at a high cost. price-fixing the maintaining of prices at a certain level by agreement between competing sellers. price-list a list of current prices of items on sale. price on a person's head a reward for a person's capture or death. price oneself out of the market lose to one's competitors by charging more than customers are willing to pay. price-ring a group of traders acting illegally to control certain prices. price tag 1 the label on an item showing its price. 2 the cost of an enterprise or undertaking. price war fierce competition among traders cutting prices. set a price on declare the price of. what price ...? (often foll. by verbal noun) colloq. 1 what is the chance of ...? (what price your finishing the course?). 2 iron. the expected or much boasted ... proves disappointing (what price your friendship now?). priced adj. (also in comb.). pricer n.
[ (n.) ME f. OF pris f. L pretium: (v.) var. of prise = PRIZE(1) ]