Ransom
Middle English: from Old French ransoun (noun), ransouner (verb), from Latin redemptio(n- ) ‘ransoming, releasing’ (see redemption). Early use also occurred in theological contexts expressing ‘deliverance’ and ‘atonement’.
wiktionary
From the Middle English ransoun, from the Old French raençon, from stem of Latin redemptio. Entered English ca. the 13th century. Doublet of redemption.
etymonline
ransom (n.)
13c., raunsoun, "sum paid for the release of a prisoner or captured man," also "redemption from damnation," from Old French ranson (Modern French rançon), earlier raenson "ransom, redemption," from Latin redemptionem (nominative redemptio) "a redeeming," from redimere "to redeem, buy back," from red- "back" (see re-) + emere "to take, buy, gain, procure" (from PIE root *em- "to take, distribute"). A doublet of redemption. A faded word somewhat revived by Scott early 19c. Spelling with -m appears by late 14c., but the reason for it is unclear (compare seldom, random).
ransom (v.)
"buy back, redeem by paying or giving in return that which is demanded," early 14c., raunsounen, from ransom (n.). Related: Ransomed; ransoming.
