好词典

ransom

UK //ˈrænsəm//US //ˈrænsəm//

词源

源自中古英语 'raunson',来自古法语 'rançon',最终源自拉丁语 'redemptio',意为 '赎回'。

noun

❶ 赎金,指为释放被绑架的人或归还被扣押的物品而支付的金钱。通常用于绑架或劫持事件中。

“The kidnappers demanded a ransom of one million dollars.”

(绑匪要求一百万美元的赎金。)

“The family paid the ransom to get their son back.”

(这家人支付了赎金以换回他们的儿子。)

同义词:payment, release fee, redemption

verb

❶ 赎回,指通过支付赎金来释放某人或取回某物。常用于绑架或劫持的语境中。

“They ransomed the hostages after negotiations.”

(经过谈判后,他们赎回了人质。)

“The stolen painting was ransomed for a huge sum.”

(被盗的画作被以巨额赎金赎回。)

同义词:redeem, buy back, recover

常见短语

hold someone for ransom — 绑架某人以索取赎金,通常用于描述绑架或劫持行为。

“The criminals held the businessman for ransom.”

(罪犯绑架了这名商人以索取赎金。)

ransom note — 赎金纸条,绑匪用来提出赎金要求的书面信息。

“The ransom note was written in cut-out magazine letters.”

(赎金纸条是用剪下来的杂志字母拼成的。)