prize1
n.
- a thing given as a reward to a winner or in recognition of an outstanding achievement.
▸something won in a game of chance.
▸something of great value that is worth struggling to achieve.
- chiefly historical an enemy ship captured during warfare.
adj.
- having been or likely to be awarded a prize.
- outstanding of its kind.
v.
value highly.
Etymology
ME: sense 1 of n. is var. of price, sense 2 is from OFr. prise ‘taking, booty’; v. is from OFr. pris-, stem of preisier (see praise).