释义 |
pris·on I. \ˈprizən\ noun (-s) Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English prison, prisoun, prisun, from Old French prison, prisun, from Latin prehension-, prehensio act of seizing, from prehensus (past participle of prehendere to seize, grasp) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at prehensile 1. : a place or condition of confinement or restraint (as of a person) : imprisonment < put in prison > < prison seldom cures the criminal > 2. : a building or other place for the safe custody or confinement of criminals or others (as formerly debtors) committed by lawful authority; often : an institution for the imprisonment of persons convicted of major crimes or felonies : a penitentiary as distinguished from a reformatory, local jail, or detention home II. transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Middle English prisonen, from prison, n. chiefly dialect : to put or keep in restraint : imprison, confine |