prize
/ˈpɹaɪ̯z/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.59 in modern English
16
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
1
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
That which is taken from another; something captured; a thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power.
noun
Anything captured by a belligerent using the rights of war; especially, property captured at sea in virtue of the rights of war, as a vessel.
Example Sentences
- "[…] wherefore he now begunne To challenge her anew, as his owne prize, Whom formerly he had in battell wonne,"
- "Having taken all the Treasure on Board their own Ships, and plundered their Prize of every Thing elſe they either wanted or liked, they let her go; ſhe not being able to continue her Voyage, returned back: […]"
- "I fought and conquer’d, yet have lost the prize."
- "Cecil Rhodes […] was never tired of impressing upon one that the fact of being an Englishman was “the greatest prize in the lottery of life,” and that it was that thought which always sustained him when he was troubled."
- "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
- "Like one of two contending in a prize, That thinks he hath done well in people's eyes […]"
Etymology
From Middle English prise, from Old French prise (“a taking, capture, a seizure, a thing seized, a prize, booty, also hold, purchase”), past participle of prendre (“to take, to capture”), from Latin prēndere (“to take, seize”); see prehend. Compare prison, apprise, comprise, enterprise, purprise, reprisal, surprise, etc. Doublet of prise.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈpɹaɪ̯z/
- British English: /ˈpɹaɪ̯z/