ransom

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. The release of property or a person in return for payment of a demanded price.
2. n. The price or payment demanded or paid for such release.
3. n. A redemption from sin and its consequences.
4. v. To obtain the release of by paying a certain price.
5. v. To release after receiving such a payment.
6. v. To deliver from sin and its consequences.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. Redemption for a price; a holding for redemption; also, release from captivity, bondage, or the possession of an enemy for a consideration; liberation on payment or satisfaction of the price demanded.
2. n. The money or price awarded or paid for the redemption of a prisoner, captive, or slave, or for goods captured by an enemy; payment for liberation from restraint, penalty, or punishment.
3. n. Atonement; expiation.
4. To redeem from captivity, bondage, forfeit, or punishment by paying or giving in return that which is demanded; buy out of servitude; buy off from penalty.
5. To redeem; rescue; deliver.
6. To hold at ransom; demand or accept a ransom for; exact payment on.
7. To set free for a price; give up the custody of on receipt of a consideration.
8. To atone for; expiate.

Wiktionary

1. n. Money paid for the freeing of a hostage.
2. v. To deliver, especially in context of sin or relevant penalties.
3. v. To pay a price to set someone free from captivity or punishment.
4. v. To exact a ransom for, or a payment on.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. The release of a captive, or of captured property, by payment of a consideration; redemption.
2. n. The money or price paid for the redemption of a prisoner, or for goods captured by an enemy; payment for freedom from restraint, penalty, or forfeit.
3. n. (O. Eng. Law) A sum paid for the pardon of some great offense and the discharge of the offender; also, a fine paid in lieu of corporal punishment.
4. v. To redeem from captivity, servitude, punishment, or forfeit, by paying a price; to buy out of servitude or penalty; to rescue; to deliver.
5. v. rare To exact a ransom for, or a payment on.

WordNet 3.0

1. v. exchange or buy back for money; under threat
2. n. payment for the release of someone
3. n. the act of freeing from captivity or punishment
4. n. money demanded for the return of a captured person