Prize
prize (priz), n. (F. prisea seizing, hold, grasp, fr. pris, p. p. of prendre to
take, L. prendere, prehendere; in some senses, as 2
(b), either from, or influenced by, F. prix
price. See Prison, Prehensile, and cf. Pry, and
also Price.)
1. That which is taken from another; something
captured; a thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior
power.
I will depart my pris, or my prey, by
deliberation. Chaucer.
His own prize,
Whom formerly he had in battle won. Spenser.
2. Hence, specifically; (a)
(Law) Anything captured by a belligerent using the rights
of war; esp., property captured at sea in virtue of the rights of war,
as a vessel. Kent. Brande anything
offered to be competed for, or as an inducement to, or reward of,
effort.
Ill never wrestle for prize more.
Shak.
I fought and conquered, yet have lost the
prize. Dryden.
(c) That which may be won by chance, as in a
lottery.
3. Anything worth striving for; a valuable
possession held or in prospect.
I press toward the mark for the prize of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. iii.
14.
4. A contest for a reward; competition.
(Obs.) Shak.
5. A lever; a pry; also, the hold of a
lever. (Written also prise.)
Prize court, a court having jurisdiction of
all captures made in war on the high seas. Bouvier. --
Prize fight, an exhibition contest, esp. one of
pugilists, for a stake or wager. -- Prize
fighter, one who fights publicly for a reward; --
applied esp. to a professional boxer or pugilist. Pope. --
Prize fighting, fighting, especially boxing, in
public for a reward or wager. -- Prize master,
an officer put in charge or command of a captured vessel. --
Prize medal, a medal given as a prize. --
Prize money, a dividend from the proceeds of a
captured vessel, etc., paid to the captors. -- Prize
ring, the ring or inclosure for a prize fight; the
system and practice of prize fighting. -- To make prize
of, to capture. Hawthorne.
prize (?), v. t. To move with alever; to force up or open; to pry. (Written also
prise.)
prize , v. t. (imp. p. pr. to
appraise; to price; to rate.
A goodly price that I was prized
at. Zech. xi. 13.
I prize it (life) not a straw, but for mine
honor. Shak.
2. To value highly; to estimate to be of great
worth; to esteem. (I) do love, prize, honor you.
Shak.
I prized your person, but your crown
disdain. Dryden.
prize , n. (F. prix price. See 3dPrize. ) Estimation; valuation. (Obs.)
Shak.
|
