prised

Prised is the past tense and past participle of the verb prise, used primarily in British English. It means to open or separate something by applying leverage or force, or to obtain something with effort. A typical usage is mechanical: “They prised the lid off the jar with a screwdriver.” It can also refer to extracting information or concessions from someone, especially when effort is involved: “The officials prised the details from the reluctant witness.” In American English, the corresponding past tense is usually pried, and the verb pry is more common for these senses.

As an adjective, prized (usually written with a z) means valued or cherished: “a prized possession.” This sense is distinct from the verb sense and reflects a related but separate root meaning related to value rather than levering.

Pronunciation is typically /praɪzd/ for both the past tense and the adjective. The form prise comes from Old French prendre, via Middle English, with sense developments related to taking, capture, or forceful action. The noun prise also exists in English with related senses of capture or taking.

Usage notes: Do not confuse prised with prize (the noun meaning award) or prize as a verb meaning to value. In British usage, prising is standard for the act of levering something open; in American usage, pried open is more common. The adjective form prized is widely used in both varieties to denote something of high value or importance.