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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. That which is taken from another; something captured; a thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will depart my pris, or my prey, by deliberation. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

His own prize,
Whom formerly he had in battle won. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

I'll never wrestle for prize more. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

I fought and conquered, yet have lost the prize. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

(c) That which may be won by chance, as in a lottery. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Anything worth striving for; a valuable possession held or in prospect. [ 1913 Webster ]

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. iii. 14. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A contest for a reward; competition. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A lever; a pry; also, the hold of a lever. [ Written also prise. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]