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.
© Webster 1913.
Prize (?), v. t. To move with a lever; to force up or open; to pry. [Written also prise.]
© Webster 1913.
Prize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prizing.] [F. priser, OF. prisier, preisier, fr. L. pretiare, fr. pretium worth, value, price. See Price, and cf. Praise.] [Formerly written also prise. ]
1. To set or estimate the value of; to appraise; to price; to rate.
A goodly price that I was prized at.
Zech. xi. 13.
I prize it [life] not a straw, but for mine honor.
Shak.
2. To value highly; to estimate to be of great worth; to esteem. "[I] do love, prize, honor you. "
Shak.
I prized your person, but your crown disdain.
Dryden.
© Webster 1913.
Prize, n. [F. prix price. See 3d Prize. ] Estimation; valuation. [Obs.]
Shak.
© Webster 1913. | 
