prize

prize · noun¹

1. Latin · derived fromprēndere“to take, seize”
2. Old French · derived fromprise“a taking, capture, a seizure, a thing seized, a prize, booty, also hold, purchase”
3. Middle English · inherited fromprise
4. English todayprize

From Middle English prise, from Old French prise (“a taking, capture, a seizure, a thing seized, a prize, booty, also hold, purchase”), past participle of prendre (“to take, to capture”), from Latin prēndere (“to take, seize”); see prehend. Compare prison, apprise, comprise, enterprise, purprise, reprisal, surprise, etc. Doublet of prise.

prize · verb²

1. Latin · derived frompretium“price, value”
2. Old French · derived frompreisier“to set a price or value on, esteem, value”
3. Middle English · derived fromprysen
4. English todayprize

From Middle English prysen, borrowed from Old French preisier (“to set a price or value on, esteem, value”), from pris (“price”), from Latin pretium (“price, value”), whence price; see also praise, a doublet. Compare appraise, apprize.

prize · noun³

Alternative forms.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• 16th–19th c. Obsolete form of price.