imprisonment

(im-priz’n-ment), n. [= F. em- prisonnement = It. imp rig i on a men to; as imprison + -ment.] The act of imprisoning, or the state of being imprisoned; confinement in or as if in prison; any forcible restraint within bounds. Imprisonment and poison did reveal The worth of So crates. Daniel, To H. Wriothesly. All his sinews woxen weake and raw Through long enprisonment, and hard constraint, Which he endured in his late restraint. Spenser, F. Q., I. x. 2. Constructive imprisonment, such a restraint upon personal liberty, though without actual imprisonment within walls, as the law may treat as equivalent to actual imprisonment for the purpose of giving redre .— Dure of imprisonment. See dure .—False imprisonment, any imprisonment which is without lawful authority. =Syn. /nearceration, etc. (see captivity); custody, dure , durance.