ˈprɪzn n. & v. --n. 1 a
place in
which a
person is
kept in
captivity,
esp. a
building to which persons are legally committed
while awaiting
trial or
for punishment; a
jail. 2
custody,
confinement (in prison). --v.tr.
poet. (prisoned, prisoning) put in prison. øprison-breaking
escape from prison. prison camp a camp for prisoners of
war or of
State. [ME f. OF prisun,
-on f. L prensio -onis f. prehensio f. prehendere prehenslay hold of]