American poet and critic. The founder and editor (1939-1959) of the Kenyon Review, he was a leading proponent of New Criticism. His collections of poetry include Chills and Fever (1924). |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. 1. a. The release of property or a person in return for payment of a demanded price. b. The price or payment demanded or paid for such release. 2. Christianity A redemption from sin and its consequences. tr.v. ran·somed, ran·som·ing, ran·soms 1. a. To obtain the release of by paying a certain price. b. To release after receiving such a payment. 2. Christianity To deliver from sin and its consequences. [Middle English raunson, raunsom, from Old French rançon, from Latin redēmptiō, redēmptiōn-, a buying back; see REDEMPTION.] ransom·er n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.