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