释义 |
† ˈprisal, ˈprizal Obs. Also 7 prisel. [a. AF. prisel, f. F. prise seizure, taking, prise n.1, prize n.3: see -al1, and cf. reprisal.] 1. The taking or seizure of a thing as by legal right or custom.
[a1481Littleton Tenures §693 (1557) 158 Si tiel prisel de estate ne soit par fait endent.] 1628Coke On Litt. 311 Hee shall auow the prisel to bee good and rightfull, as in lands or Tenements so charged with his distresse, &c. 1647N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. i. lxiv. (1739) 135 But the Statute in his [Edw. I's] 28th year had a sting in the tail that was as ill as his saving of ancient aids and prisals. 2. The taking of anything (a ship, etc.) as a prize of war. With a and pl. an act of such capture; also concr. an article so acquired.
1590Sir R. Sidney in Motley Netherl. (1867) III. 174 note, They complain of two ships taken on the coast of Portugal... They of Zeland did send unto Holld to let them know of these prisals. 1594Daniel Cleopatra iii. ii, The greatest Trophy that my Travels gain, Is to bring Home a Prizal of such Worth. a1643Sir J. Spelman Alfred Gt. (1709) 62 Of what Credit soever the Omination of the [Raven] Standard was in itself, the Prisal of it [from the Danes] by the Christians was of no little Consequence. 1651Howell Venice 67 But the Venetians freed the Town from the siege..with great slaughter of the enemy, and prizall of many rich booties. |