prison [OE] This comes via Old French from Latin prehendere ‘to seize’. Prehendere is a rich source of English words, being found, amongst many, in apprehend [LME], comprehend [ME];prehensile [L18th]; and reprehensible [LME]. A shortening of prehendere lies behind praedari ‘plunder’ and praeda ‘booty’, which lie behind depredation [LME];predatory [L16]; and prey [ME].