Prison

Pris′on, 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 of confinement, restraint, or safe custody.

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.

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.