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.
Phrases and idioms:
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?).
Derivatives:
priced adj. (also in comb.). pricer n.
Etymology: (n.) ME f. OF pris f. L pretium: (v.) var. of prise PRIZE(1)