prize

I. noun Etymology: Middle English pris prize, price — more at price Date: 14th century 1. something offered or striven for in competition or in contests of chance; also premium 1d 2. something exceptionally desirable 3. archaic a contest for a reward ; competition II. adjective Date: 1803 1. a. awarded or worthy of a prize b. awarded as a prize c. entered for the sake of a prize <

a prize drawing

> 2. outstanding of a kind <

raised prize hogs

> III. transitive verb (prized; prizing) Etymology: Middle English prisen, from Anglo-French priser, preiser to appraise, esteem, from Late Latin pretiare, from Latin pretium price, value — more at price Date: 14th century 1. to estimate the value of ; rate 2. to value highly ; esteem <

a prized possession

> Synonyms: see appreciate IV. noun Etymology: Middle English prise, from Anglo-French, taking, seizure, from prendre to take, from Latin prehendere — more at get Date: 14th century 1. something taken by force, stratagem, or threat; especially property lawfully captured at sea in time of war 2. an act of capturing or taking; especially the wartime capture of a ship and its cargo at sea Synonyms: see spoil V. transitive verb (prized; prizing) Etymology: prize lever Date: 1686 to press, force, or move with a lever ; pry