prize
UK: praɪz | US: praɪz
n. something awarded as a reward for victory or superiority
n. something exceptionally valuable or desirable
vt. to value highly; to esteem
prize = priz<value> + e (silent)
- priz<value>: Derived from Old French pris (meaning "price, value, reward"), which traces back to Latin pretium (meaning "price, worth").
- e (silent): A common silent letter in English, often retained from historical spelling conventions.
Etymology Origin:
The word "prize" evolved from the Old French pris, reflecting the concept of value or reward. Over time, it shifted from denoting general worth to specifically representing a reward for achievement. The silent "e" is a vestige of Middle English spelling, where it was pronounced but later dropped in speech while retained in writing.
She won first prize in the science competition.
The antique vase is a prized possession in their family.
He prizes honesty above all other virtues.
The Nobel Prize is awarded for outstanding contributions to humanity.
They fought fiercely for the prize of victory.