Re-deem', v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. REDEEMED; p. pr. & vb. n. REDEEMING.] [Fr. rédimer, Pr. rezamer, Sp. redimir, Pg. remir, It. & Lat. redimere, from Lat. re, again, back, and emere, to buy.]
Sense 1. To purchase back; to regain possession of by payment of a stipulated price; to repurchase.
If a man sell a dwelling-house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold. Lev. xxv. 29.
Sense 2. Hence, specifically, (a.) (Law.) To recall, as an estate, or to regain, as mortgaged property, by paying what may be due by force of the mortgage. (b.) (Com.) To receive back by paying the obligation, as any promissory note, bond, or other evidence of debt, given by the state, by a company or corporation, or by an individual.
Sense 3. To ransom, liberate, or rescue from captivity or bondage, or from any obligation or liability to suffer or to be forfeited, by paying an equivalent; to ransom; to rescue; to recover; as, to redeem a captive, a pledge, and the like.
Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. Ps. xxv. 22.
The Almighty from the grave Hath me redeemed. Sandys.
Sense 4. (Theol.) Hence, to rescue and deliver from the bondage of sin and the penalties of God’s violated law.
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. Gal. iii. 13.
Sense 5. To free, as from a penalty or obligation; to make good by performance, as a promise; to relieve from the effect of; to satisfy; to make amends for; to serve as an equivalent or offset for; to atone for; to compensate.
I will redeem all this on Percy’s head. Shak.
Which of you will be mortal to redeem Man’s mortal crime? Milton.
It is a chance which does redeem all sorrows. Shak.
By lesser ills the greater to redeem. Dryden.