different between hansom vs ransom

English

Alternative forms

• hanson

Noun

hansom (plural hansoms)

1. (historical) A Hansom cab; a carriage

Translations

Anagrams

• Homans, Hosman, Monash, man hos

English

Etymology

From the Middle English ransoun, from the Old French raençon, from stem of Latin redemptio. Entered English ca. the 13th century. Doublet of redemption.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??æns?m/

Noun

ransom (usually uncountable, plural ransoms)

1. Money paid for the freeing of a hostage.
   • 1674, John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book XII:

     Thy ransom paid, which man from death redeems.

   • 1612, John Davies, Discoverie of the True Causes why Ireland was never entirely subdued

     His captivity in Austria, and the heavy ransom he paid for his liberty.

   • 2010, Caroline Alexander, The War That Killed Achilles: The True Story of Homer's Iliad:

     As rich as was the ransom Priam paid for Hektor, Hermes says, his remaining sons at Troy “'would give three times as much ransom / for you, who are alive, were Atreus' son Agamemnon / to recognize you.'”

2. The release of a captive, or of captured property, by payment of a consideration.

   • Till the fair slave be rendered to her sire; And ransom-free restored to his abode

3. (historical, law, Britain) A sum paid for the pardon of some great offence and the discharge of the offender; also, a fine paid in lieu of corporal punishment.

Usage notes

• "held for ransom" is much more common in the US, "held to ransom" in the UK.

Derived terms

• king's ransom
• ransom strip
• ransomware

Translations

Verb

ransom (third-person singular simple present ransoms, present participle ransoming, simple past and past participle ransomed)

1. (14th century) To deliver, especially in context of sin or relevant penalties.
2. To pay a price to set someone free from captivity or punishment.

3. To exact a ransom for, or a payment on.

   (Can we date this quote by Berners and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?).

Translations

See also

• bail

References

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary: Tenth Edition 1997

Anagrams

• Armons, Manors, Marons, Marson, Romans, Rosman, manors, morans, mornas, normas, ramson, sarmon