mainprize noun & verb. ['meɪnprʌɪz] obsolete exc. Hist. ME.
[Anglo-Norman, Old French mainprise, mein-, from mainprendre: see MAINPERNOR.]
A. noun.
1. The action of making oneself legally responsible for the fulfilment of a contract or undertaking by another person; suretyship; spec. the action of procuring the release of a prisoner by standing surety for his or her appearance in court at a specified time. ME.

2. A person who stands surety for another. LME.
b. verb trans. Also mainprise. Procure or grant the release of (a prisoner) by mainprize; accept a surety for the appearance of. ME.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲