I. ˈpri-z ə n noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin prehension-, prehensio act of seizing, from prehendere to seize — more at get
Date: 12th century
1. : a state of confinement or captivity
2. : a place of confinement especially for lawbreakers ; specifically : an institution (as one under state jurisdiction) for confinement of persons convicted of serious crimes — compare jail
II. transitive verb
Date: 14th century
: imprison , confine