Ransom

Ransom refers to the practice of holding a prisoner or item to extort money or property to secure their release. It also refers to the sum of money paid by the other party to secure a captive's freedom. It can also refer to paying such a ransom. When ransom means "payment", the word comes via French rançon (from Old French "ranson") from Latin redemptio, 'buying back'; compare "redemption".