Hypertext Webster Gateway: "prison"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
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).
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
The prisoned eagle dies for rage. --Sir W.
Scott.
His true respect will prison false desire. --Shak.
2. To bind (together); to enchain. [Obs.]
Sir William Crispyn with the duke was led Together
prisoned. --Robert of
Brunne.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy
name. --Ps. cxlii.
7.
The tyrant [AE]olus, . . . With power imperial,
curbs the struggling winds, And sounding tempests in
dark prisons binds. --Dryden.
2. Specifically, a building for the safe custody or
confinement of criminals and others committed by lawful
authority.
{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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
prison
n 1: a correctional institution where persons are confined while
on trial or for punishment [syn: {prison house}]
2: a prisonlike situation; a place of seeming confinement [syn:
{prison house}]
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