mainprise

1 of 2

noun

main·prise

ˈmānˌprīz

plural -s

: an undertaking given to a magistrate or court that even without having an accused in custody one will be liable for the appearance of the accused on a fixed day to defend any and all charges to be brought against him compare bail

mainprise

2 of 2

transitive verb

-ed/-ing/-s

: to release or procure the release of on mainprise

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English meinprise, from Anglo-French, from mainprendre to accept surety, from Old French main hand (from Latin manus) + prendre (past participle pris) to take (act of capturing)

Transitive verb

Middle English mainprisen, meinprisen, from Anglo-French meinprise, noun