- ransom (n.)
- early 13c., "sum paid for the release of a prisoner or captured man," from Old French ranson (Modern French rançon), earlier raenson "ransom, redemption," from Latin redemptionem (nominative redemptio) "a redeeming," from redimere (see redeem).
- ransom
- c.1300, from ransom (n.). Related: Ransomed; ransoming.