Webster's English Dictionary

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prison

1. pris.on \'priz-*n\ n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L prehension-, prehensio act of 
   seizing, fr. pr]ehensus, pp. of prehendere to seize - more at PREHENSILE 1: 
   a state of confinement or captivity  2: a place of confinement : as  2a: a 
   building in which persons are confined for safe custody while on tria l for 
   an offense or for punishment after trial and conviction 2b: an institution 
   for the imprisonment of persons convicted of serious cri mes : PENITENTIARY
2. prison vt : IMPRISON, CONFINE