n. [ F., fr. L. prehensio, prensio, a seizing, arresting, fr. prehendre, prendere, to lay hold of, to seize. See Prehensile, and cf. Prize, n., Misprision. ] 1. A place where persons are confined, or restrained of personal liberty; hence, a place or state o&unr_; confinement, restraint, or safe custody. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name. Ps. cxlii. 7. [ 1913 Webster ]

The tyrant Aeolus, . . .
With power imperial, curbs the struggling winds,
And sounding tempests in dark prisons binds. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Specifically, a building for the safe custody or confinement of criminals and others committed by lawful authority. [ 1913 Webster ]

Prison bars, or
Prison base. See Base, n., 24. --
Prison breach. (Law) See Note under 3d Escape, n., 4. --
Prison house, a prison. Shak. --
Prison ship (Naut.), a ship fitted up for the confinement of prisoners. --
Prison van, a carriage in which prisoners are conveyed to and from prison. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Prisoned p. pr. & vb. n. Prisoning. ] 1. To imprison; to shut up in, or as in, a prison; to confine; to restrain from liberty. [ 1913 Webster ]

The prisoned eagle dies for rage. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

His true respect will prison false desire. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To bind (together); to enchain. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Sir William Crispyn with the duke was led
Together prisoned. Robert of Brunne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. prisonnier. ] 1. One who is confined in a prison. Piers Plowman. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A person under arrest, or in custody, whether in prison or not; a person held in involuntary restraint; a captive; as, a prisoner at the bar of a court. Bouvier. [ 1913 Webster ]

Prisoner of Hope thou art, -- look up and sing. Keble. [ 1913 Webster ]

Prisoner's base. See Base, n., 24. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Imprisonment. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]