Definition: prize
prize
adj : of superior grade; "choice wines"; "prime beef"; "prize
carnations"; "quality paper"; "select peaches" [syn: choice,
prime, quality, select]
n 1: something given for victory or superiority in a contest or
competition; "the prize was a free trip to Europe" [syn:
award]
2: goods or money obtained illegally [syn: loot, booty, pillage,
plunder, swag]
3: something given as a token of victory [syn: trophy]
v 1: hold dear; "I prize these old photographs" [syn: value, treasure,
appreciate]
2: to move or force, esp. in an effort to get something open;
"The burglar jimmied the lock", "Raccoons managed to pry
the lid off the garbage pail" [syn: pry, prise, lever,
jimmy]
3: regard highly; think much of [syn: respect, esteem, value,
prise] [ant: disrespect, disrespect]
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Prize \Prize\, v. t. To move with a lever; to force up or open; to pry. [Written also prise.]
Prize \Prize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prized; p. pr. & vb. n. Prizing.] [F. priser, OF. prisier, preisier, fr. L. pretiare, fr. pretium worth, value, price. See Price, and cf. Praise.] [Formerly written also prise. ] 1. To set or estimate the value of; to appraise; to price; to rate. A goodly price that I was prized at. --Zech. xi. 13. I prize it [life] not a straw, but for mine honor. --Shak. 2. To value highly; to estimate to be of great worth; to esteem. ``[I] do love, prize, honor you. '' --Shak. I prized your person, but your crown disdain. --Dryden.
Prize \Prize\, n. [F. prise a seizing, hold, grasp, fr. pris, p.
p. of prendre to take, L. prendere, prehendere; in some
senses, as 2
(b), either from, or influenced by, F. prix price. See
Prison, Prehensile, and cf. Pry, and also Price.]
1. That which is taken from another; something captured; a
thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power.
I will depart my pris, or may prey, by deliberation.
--Chaucer.
His own prize, Whom formerly he had in battle won.
--Spenser.
2. Hence, specifically;
(a) (Law) Anything captured by a belligerent using the
rights of war; esp., property captured at sea in
virtue of the rights of war, as a vessel. --Kent.
--Brande & C.
(b) An honor or reward striven for in a competitive
contest; anything offered to be competed for, or as an
inducement to, or reward of, effort.
I'll never wrestle for prize more. --Shak.
I fought and conquered, yet have lost the prize.
--Dryden.
(c) That which may be won by chance, as in a lottery.
3. Anything worth striving for; a valuable possession held or
in prospect.
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus. --Phil. iii.
14.
4. A contest for a reward; competition. [Obs.] --Shak.
5. A lever; a pry; also, the hold of a lever. [Written also
prise.]
Prize court, a court having jurisdiction of all captures
made in war on the high seas. --Bouvier.
Prize fight, an exhibition contest, esp. one of pugilists,
for a stake or wager.
Prize fighter, one who fights publicly for a reward; --
applied esp. to a professional boxer or pugilist. --Pope.
Prize fighting, fighting, especially boxing, in public for
a reward or wager.
Prize master, an officer put in charge or command of a
captured vessel.
Prize medal, a medal given as a prize.
Prize money, a dividend from the proceeds of a captured
vessel, etc., paid to the captors.
Prize ring, the ring or inclosure for a prize fight; the
system and practice of prize fighting.
To make prize of, to capture. --Hawthorne.
Prize \Prize\, n. [F. prix price. See 3d Prize. ] Estimation; valuation. [Obs.] --Shak.
