Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Prison?

\Pris"on\ (?; 277), n. [F., fr. L. prehensio, prensio, a seizing, arresting, fr. prehendre, prendere, to lay hold of, to seize. See {Prehensile}, and cf. {Prize}, n., {Misprision}.] 1. A place where persons are confined, or restrained of personal liberty; hence, a place or state o? confinement, restraint, or safe custody. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name. --Ps. cxlii. 7. The tyrant [AE]olus, . . . With power imperial, curbs the struggling winds, And sounding tempests in dark prisons binds. --Dryden. 2. Specifically, a building for the safe custody or confinement of criminals and others committed by lawful authority. {Prison bars}, or {Prison base}. See {Base}, n., 24. {Prison breach}. (Law) See Note under 3d {Escape}, n., 4. {Prison house}, a prison. --Shak. {Prison ship} (Naut.), a ship fitted up for the confinement of prisoners. {Prison van}, a carriage in which prisoners are conveyed to and from prison.
\Pris"on\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prisoned}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Prisoning}.] 1. To imprison; to shut up in, or as in, a prison; to confine; to restrain from liberty. The prisoned eagle dies for rage. --Sir W. Scott. His true respect will prison false desire. --Shak. 2. To bind (together); to enchain. [Obs.] Sir William Crispyn with the duke was led Together prisoned. --Robert of Brunne.