Prisons
prison (?; 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 Aolus, . . .
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 , v. t. (imp. p. pr. 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.
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