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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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