Dictionary-Definition.com :: Prison definition

Definition of 'prison'

noun

A correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment [syn: prison, prison house]

noun

A prisonlike situation; a place of seeming confinement [syn: prison, prison house]

From: GCIDE

Prison \Pris"on\, 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]

From: GCIDE

Prison \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. [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]

Prison The first occasion on which we read of a prison is in the history of Joseph in Egypt. Then Potiphar, "Joseph's master, took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound" (Gen. 39:20-23). The Heb. word here used (sohar) means properly a round tower or fortress. It seems to have been a part of Potiphar's house, a place in which state prisoners were kept.
The Mosaic law made no provision for imprisonment as a punishment. In the wilderness two persons were "put in ward" (Lev. 24:12; Num. 15:34), but it was only till the mind of God concerning them should be ascertained. Prisons and prisoners are mentioned in the book of Psalms (69:33; 79:11; 142:7). Samson was confined in a Philistine prison (Judg. 16:21, 25). In the subsequent history of Israel frequent references are made to prisons (1 Kings 22:27; 2 Kings 17:4; 25:27, 29; 2 Chr. 16:10; Isa. 42:7; Jer. 32:2). Prisons seem to have been common in New Testament times (Matt. 11:2; 25:36, 43). The apostles were put into the "common prison" at the instance of the Jewish council (Acts 5:18, 23; 8:3); and at Philippi Paul and Silas were thrust into the "inner prison" (16:24; comp. 4:3; 12:4, 5).