Pris″on (?; 277), 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� confinement, restraint, or safe custody.
Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name. Ps. cxlii. 7.
The tyrant Æolus,...
With power imperial, curbs the struggling winds,
And sounding tempests in dark prisons binds. Dryden.
2. Specifically, a building for the safe custody or confinement of criminals and others committed by lawful authority.
Prison bars, orPrison 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.