Ransom, subst. 1) price paid for the redemption of a prisoner; in a proper and a metaphorical sense: Ven. 550. Meas. II, 4, 111. IV, 4, 35. All's I, 3, 121. IV, 1, 74 (O r., r.!). R2 II, 1, 56 (the world's r., blessed Mary's son; cf. Wint. V, 2, 16). H4A I, 3, 141. H4A I, 3, 141 II, 3, 57. IV, 3, 96. H5 III, 5, 60. H5 III, 5, 60 III, 6, 133. III, 6, 133 IV, 3, 80. IV, 3, 80 IV, 3, 80 IV, 3, 80 IV, 4, 11. IV, 4, 11 IV, 5, 9. IV, 7, 72. IV, 7, 72 H6A I, 1, 148. H6A I, 1, 148 III, 3, 72. V, 3, 73. V, 3, 73 V, 3, 73 V, 3, 73 H6B III, 2, 297. IV, 1, 10 (make their r., == pay). IV, 1, 10 IV, 1, 10 IV, 1, 10 H6C V, 7, 40. Tim. I, 1, 105 (== a sum paid to deliver a prisoner for debt). Caes. III, 2, 94 (--s). Lr. IV, 6, 196.
2) atonement, expiation: “if hearty sorrow be a sufficient r. for offence,” Gent. V, 4, 75. “lowly words were r. for their fault,” H6B III, 1, 127. R3 V, 3, 265* Tit. III, 1, 156. Cymb. V, 3, 80. V, 5, 80.