■ noun a sum of money demanded or paid for the release of a captive.
■ verb obtain the release of (someone) by paying a ~.
↘hold (someone) captive and demand a ~ for their release.
↘release after receiving a ~.
Phrases
hold someone to ~ demand concessions from a person or organization by threatening damaging action.
a king's ~ a huge amount of money.
Origin
ME: from OFr. ransoun (n.), ransouner (v.), from L. redemptio(n-) (see redemption ).