Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Prize \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.