prizing


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Related to prizing: consolation prize

prize 1

 (prīz)
n.
1.
a. Something offered or won as an award for superiority or victory, as in a contest or competition.
b. Something offered or won in a lottery or similar game of chance.
2. Something worth striving for; a highly desirable possession.
adj.
1. Offered or given as a prize: a prize cup.
2. Given a prize, or likely to win a prize: a prize cow.
3. Worthy of a prize; first-class: our prize azaleas.
tr.v. prized, priz·ing, priz·es
1. To value highly; esteem or treasure. See Synonyms at appreciate.
2. To estimate the worth of; evaluate.

[Alteration of Middle English pris, value, price, reward; see price.]

prize 2

 (prīz)
n.
Something seized by force or taken as booty, especially an enemy ship and its cargo captured at sea during wartime.

[Alteration of Middle English prise, from Old French, from feminine past participle of prendre, from Latin prehendere, prēndere, to seize; see ghend- in Indo-European roots.]

prize 3

also prise  (prīz)
tr.v. prized, priz·ing, priz·es also prised or pris·ing or pris·es
To move or force with a lever; pry: prized open the antique chest.
n.
Chiefly Southern US Something used as a lever or for prying.

[From Middle English prise, instrument for prying, probably from prise, the taking of something; see prize2.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.