[pris.on] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L prehension-, prehensio act of seizing, fr. prehendere to seize--more at get] (12c) 1: a state of confinement or captivity
2: a place of confinement esp. for lawbreakers; specif: an institution (as one under state jurisdiction) for confinement of persons convicted of serious crimes--compare jail
[2]prison vt (14c): imprison, confine