Prizing

prize ¹  (prz)

n.

1. Something offered or won as an award for superiority or victory, as in a contest or competition.

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.

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

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prize ²  (prz)

n.

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

2. The act of seizing; capture.

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

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prize ³ also prise  (prz)

tr.v. prized also prised, priz·ing also pris·ing, priz·es also pris·es

To move or force with or as if with a lever; pry.

n.

1. Leverage.

2. Chiefly Southern U.S. Something used as a lever or for prying.

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[From Middle English prise, instrument for prying, probably from prise, the taking of something; see prize².]