Prize (?), v. t. To move with a lever; to force up or open; to pry. [Written also prise.]

Prize , n. [F. prix price. See 3d Prize. ] Estimation; valuation. [Obs.] Shak.

Prize (prīz), n. [F. prise a seizing, hold, grasp, fr. pris, p. p. of prendre to take, L. prendere, prehendere; in some senses, as 2 (b), either from, or influenced by, F. prix price. See Prison, Prehensile, and cf. Pry, and also Price.]

1. That which is taken from another; something captured; a thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power.

I will depart my pris, or my prey, by deliberation. Chaucer.

His own prize, Whom formerly he had in battle won. Spenser.

2. Hence, specifically; (a)(Law) Anything captured by a belligerent using the rights of war; esp., property captured at sea in virtue of the rights of war, as a vessel. Kent. Brande & C. (b)An honor or reward striven for in a competitive contest; anything offered to be competed for, or as an inducement to, or reward of, effort.

"Ill never wrestle for prize more." Shak.

I fought and conquered, yet have lost the prize. Dryden.

(c) That which may be won by chance, as in a lottery.

3. Anything worth striving for; a valuable possession held or in prospect.

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Phil. iii. 14.

4. A contest for a reward; competition. [Obs.] Shak.

5. A lever; a pry; also, the hold of a lever. [Written also prise.]

Prize court, a court having jurisdiction of all captures made in war on the high seas. Bouvier. -- Prize fight, an exhibition contest, esp. one of pugilists, for a stake or wager. -- Prize fighter, one who fights publicly for a reward; -- applied esp. to a professional boxer or pugilist. Pope. -- Prize fighting, fighting, especially boxing, in public for a reward or wager. -- Prize master, an officer put in charge or command of a captured vessel. -- Prize medal, a medal given as a prize. -- Prize money, a dividend from the proceeds of a captured vessel, etc., paid to the captors. -- Prize ring, the ring or inclosure for a prize fight; the system and practice of prize fighting. -- To make prize of, to capture. Hawthorne.

Prize , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prized (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Prizing.] [F. priser, OF. prisier, preisier, fr. L. pretiare, fr. pretium worth, value, price. See Price, and cf. Praise.] [Formerly written also prise. ]

1. To set or estimate the value of; to appraise; to price; to rate.

A goodly price that I was prized at. Zech. xi. 13.

I prize it [life] not a straw, but for mine honor. Shak.

2. To value highly; to estimate to be of great worth; to esteem. "[I] do love, prize, honor you. " Shak.

I prized your person, but your crown disdain. Dryden.

-- Webster's unabridged 1913