PRISON
Pris"on, n. Etym: [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 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name. Ps. cxlii. 7. The tyrant Æolus, . . . 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.
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.
PRISONER
Pris"on*er, n. Etym: [F. prisonnier.]
1. One who is confined in a prison. Piers Plowman.
2. A person under arrest, or in custody, whether in prison or not; a person held in involuntary restraint; a captive; as, a prisoner at the bar of a court. Bouvier. Prisoner of Hope thou art, — look up and sing. Keble. Prisoner's base. See Base, n., 24.
PRISONMENT
Pris"on*ment, n.