prison ship

Prison \Pris"on\ (?; 277), n. [F., fr. L. prehensio, prensio, a
   seizing, arresting, fr. prehendre, prendere, to lay hold of,
   to seize. See {Prehensile}, and cf. {Prize}, n.,
   {Misprision}.]
   1. A place where persons are confined, or restrained of
      personal liberty; hence, a place or state o? confinement,
      restraint, or safe custody.
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            Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy
            name.                                 --Ps. cxlii.
                                                  7.
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            The tyrant Aeolus, . . .
            With power imperial, curbs the struggling winds,
            And sounding tempests in dark prisons binds.
                                                  --Dryden.
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   2. Specifically, a building for the safe custody or
      confinement of criminals and others committed by lawful
      authority.
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   {Prison bars}, or {Prison base}. See {Base}, n., 24.

   {Prison breach}. (Law) See Note under 3d {Escape}, n., 4.

   {Prison house}, a prison. --Shak.

   {Prison ship} (Naut.), a ship fitted up for the confinement
      of prisoners.

   {Prison van}, a carriage in which prisoners are conveyed to
      and from prison.
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