ransom
noun
[ ˈrans(ə)m ]
• a sum of money demanded or paid for the release of a captive.
• "the kidnappers demanded a ransom"
ransom
verb
• obtain the release of (a captive) by paying a ransom.
• "the lord was captured in war and had to be ransomed"
Origin:
Middle English: from Old French ransoun (noun), ransouner (verb), from Latin redemptio(n- ) ‘ransoming, releasing’ (see redemption). Early use also occurred in theological contexts expressing ‘deliverance’ and ‘atonement’.
