prise

[prahyz]

verb (used with object)

prised, prising 

1. prize.

prise

/ praɪz /

verb

1. to force open by levering

2. to extract or obtain with difficulty

   they had to prise the news out of him

noun

1. rare,  a tool involving leverage in its use or the leverage so employed

Word History and Origins

Origin of prise¹

C17: from Old French prise a taking, from prendre to take, from Latin prehendere; see _prize ¹

Example Sentences

Liverpool are interested in the 25-year-old Sweden forward but know they would have to break the British transfer record to even stand a chance of prising him from the Magpies.

From BBC

On Monday, McCullum would have had to march on to the field to prise the ball from Stokes' hand.

From BBC

Inside was a note which had become glued together with age, so experts used special techniques and chemicals to prise it apart.

From BBC

In the past, some of the documents, which are made from a thick paper-like material called papyrus, were prised open but they crumbled into pieces.

From BBC

King clearly believes there is more Lampard can prise from the players he inherits.

From BBC

Related Words

• crowbar 
• leverage