\Prize\, 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 may 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.
             I'll 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.
To move with a lever; to force up or open; to pry. [Written
also {prise}.]

\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.

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