The Collaborative International Dictionary
Prize \Prize\ (pr[imac]z), 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.]
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That which is taken from another; something captured; a thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power.
I will depart my pris, or my prey, by deliberation.
--Chaucer.His own prize, Whom formerly he had in battle won.
--Spenser. -
Hence, specifically;
(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.-
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. That which may be won by chance, as in a lottery.
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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. 1 4. A contest for a reward; competition. [Obs.]
--Shak.-
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.
WordNet
n. the ring where boxers fight [syn: boxing ring]
Usage examples of "prize ring".
Her only satisfaction was in seeing him drive away with a competent groom up beside him instead of one who would have been more at home in a prize ring.
But Harrison at forty-five had fought his way up to the boatswain's rank through hundreds of such encounters, and in his prime might have contested the highest honours of the prize ring.