ransom
/ˈɹæn.səm/noun
Middle School
1
Money paid for the freeing of a hostage.
2
The release of a captive, or of captured property, by payment of a consideration.
3
A sum paid for the pardon of some great offence and the discharge of the offender; also, a fine paid in lieu of corporal punishment.
Sound Patterns & Rhymes
Alliteration
Words starting with the same consonant sound — used in poetry and prose to create rhythm, emphasis, and memorable phrasing (e.g. “Peter Piper picked”)
Assonance
Words sharing similar vowel sounds regardless of starting letter — creates internal melody in writing