Pris"on [F., fr. L. prehensio, prensio, a seizing, arresting, fr. prehendre, prendere, to lay hold of, to seize. See Prehensile, and cf. Prize, n., Misprision.]
1.
A place where persons are confined, or restrained of personal liberty; hence, a place or state o confinement, restraint, or safe custody.
Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name.
Ps. cxlii. 7.
The tyrant Aeolus, . . .
With power imperial, curbs the struggling winds,
And sounding tempests in dark prisons binds.
Dryden.
2.
Specifically, a building for the safe custody or confinement of criminals and others committed by lawful authority.
Prison bars, ∨ Prison base. See Base, n., 24. -- Prison breach. Law See Note under 3d Escape, n., 4. -- Prison house, a prison. Shak. -- Prison ship Naut., a ship fitted up for the confinement of prisoners. -- Prison van, a carriage in which prisoners are conveyed to and from prison.
© Webster 1913.
Pris"on, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prisoned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prisoning.]
1.
To imprison; to shut up in, or as in, a prison; to confine; to restrain from liberty.
The prisoned eagle dies for rage.
Sir W. Scott.
His true respect will prison false desire.
Shak.
2.
To bind (together); to enchain.
[Obs.]
Sir William Crispyn with the duke was led
Together prisoned.
Robert of Brunne.
© Webster 1913.