| 释义 |
freeadj.n.adv. Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Cognate with Old Frisian frī (West Frisian frij ), Middle Dutch vrī , vrīe , vrijch , vrijg (Dutch vrij ), Old Saxon frī (only in frīlīk freely adj.; Middle Low German vrī , vrig , vryg ), Old High German frī (Middle High German vrī , German frei ), Gothic freis < the same Indo-European base as Sanskrit priya beloved, dear, (rare) friendly, Avestan friia beloved, dear, Welsh rhydd free. Icelandic frí (16th cent.), Old Swedish frir (Swedish fri ), Old Danish fri (Danish fri ), all in sense ‘free’ are ultimately borrowings < Middle Low German; the usual early Scandinavian word for ‘free’ is represented by Old Icelandic frjáls , lit. ‘free-neck’ (see frels v.). Compare also from the same Indo-European base Sanskrit priyā wife, Old English frīg love, (plural) affections, Old English Frīg the name of the goddess Frig (see Friday n.), and (in a different declension) Old English frēo woman (rare: see note), Old Saxon frī woman, wife. Compare free v., friend n., frith n.1, Friday n.The original sense of the Indo-European base has been conjectured to be ‘one's own’ (perhaps ultimately related to the Indo-European base of Greek περί (preposition and adverb) round, around, round about: see peri- prefix), the better to explain the divergent development of sense in the different languages. Whereas the sense ‘beloved, dear’ is reflected in the Sanskrit and Avestan adjectives as well as in senses of the verbal and nominal derivatives in all the Indo-European branches in which they are attested (compare the cognates cited above and also those listed at free v.), the sense ‘free, not in servitude’ appears to be a peculiarity of Germanic and Celtic. This sense perhaps arose from the application of the word as the distinctive epithet of those members of the household who were ‘one's own blood’, i.e. who were connected by ties of kinship with the head, as opposed to the unfree slaves. In the context of wider society only the former would have full legal rights, and hence, taken together, they would comprise the class of the free, as opposed to those in servitude. Compare the Old English compounds frēobearn free-born child, child or descendant of one's own blood, frēobrōðor one's own brother, frēodohtor free-born daughter, daughter of one's own blood, frēomǣg one's own kinsman, and see further M. Scheller Vedisch ‘priyá-’ u. die Wortsippe ‘frei, freien, Freund’ (1959), D. H. Green Lang. & Hist. Early Germanic World (1998) 39–41. In Old English the usual stem form is frēo- , frīo- (rarely also frēa- ) beside a less frequent stem form frīg- . The diphthongal stem forms arose in Primitive Old English by contraction of ī (earlier *ĭj ) with a following back vowel, while the stem form frīg- arose by development of a glide between ī and a following front vowel, both forms existing in complementary distribution within the same paradigm (e.g. masculine nominative singular frēo , masculine genitive singular frīges ); but in attested Old English analogical forms are already present and the distribution is no longer complementary; see A. Campbell Old Eng. Gram. (1959) §410. In Old English the word is also found as an element in personal names, compare Frēowine , Frēobearn , etc. Old English frēo woman (see above), is found only in one isolated attestation in the Old English translation of the fragmentary Old Saxon poem Genesis (not extant at this point) in the collocation frēo fægroste ‘fairest woman’ or perhaps ‘fairest of women’, and probably reflects an Old Saxon collocation only partially understood by the translator (compare Old Saxon frīo scōniosta ‘fairest of women’ ( Heliand 2017), in which frīo is the genitive plural of frī ):OE Genesis B 457 Oððæt he Adam on eorðrice, godes handgesceaft, gearone funde, wislice geworht, and his wif somed, freo fægroste.It is also conceivable that the Anglo-Saxon translator may, in fact, be using frēo free n. in sense B. 2 ‘a person (in this case a woman) of noble birth’ (compare quot. OE at that sense). With free arts (see sense A. 4) compare classical Latin ingenuae artēs studies befitting a free-born person; in some instances probably after Middle Low German vrīe künste, German freie künste (Middle High German frīe künste). A. adj. I. Not in servitude to another. 1. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > [adjective] > free or not slave society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > [adjective] eOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius (Otho) xli. 142 Gif hwilc swiðe [rice cyni]ng wære & næfde nænne freon[e] [lOE Bodl. fryne] [mon] on eallum his rice, ac wæren eall[e þ]iowe. OE (Claud.) xxi. 2 Gyf ðu Ebreiscne ðeow bigst, þeowige ðe syx gear, & beo him freoh on ðam seofoðan. lOE Manumission, Exeter (Exeter 3501) in J. Earle (1888) 260 Her kið on þissere becc þæt Willelm bisceop of Execestre cwæð Wulfric Pig freoh & saccles of þa lande a Teigtune. c1225 (?c1200) (Bodl.) (1940) l. 54 (MED) [Ha] of godes brude, & his freo dohter..bikimeð þeow under mon & his þrel. a1275 St. Margaret (Trin. Cambr.) l. 39 in A. S. M. Clark (Ph.D. diss., Univ. of Michigan) (1972) 16 Yef ho is boren of cunraden free, of al hire cunne, best scal hire bee. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 2018 Ghe bed..To maken him riche man and fre. a1400 (a1325) (Gött.) l. 6708 (MED) Qua-so smytes vte his thrales eye..He sal him make fre and quite. c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) v. 2863 (MED) Þe folke þat cam þral fro Troye..ben..I-maked fre. 1535 Job iii. 19 The bonde man, and he that is fre from his master. 1551 T. Wilson sig. Gv No bondman is free. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 445 Delicate Ariel, Ile set thee free for this. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. xv. 81 When I did make thee free . View more context for this quotation 1657 R. Ligon 16 These are free Negroes, and weare..the badge of their freedome. 1725 J. Glanvill tr. Seneca Troas ii, in 250 When the eas'd Corps, like an o'er-jaded Slave At length set free, lies quiet in the Grave. 1760 G. Wallace Princ. Law Scotl. in (1760) ii. 265/1 Set the Nigers free, and, in a few generations, this vast and fertile continent would be crouded with inhabitants. 1808 W. Mitford (new ed.) III. xxi. 12 The metics, those numerous free residents in Attica who were not Athenian citizens. 1841 E. W. Lane tr. I. 65 It sometimes happens, though rarely, that free girls are sold as slaves. 1894 K. Chopin 53 People said he was entirely too much at home with the free mulattoes. 1906 A. B. Hart v. 76 It was a legal principle in every southern state that every white child was born free, remained free, and could not by any possibility become a slave. 1949 B. Russell 50 The Stoics taught that there should be sympathy not only for free Greeks but for barbarians and slaves. 1976 G. E. Brooks in N. J. Hafkin & E. G. Bay (1996) 39 Domestic slaves were never sold into the trade except in extraordinary circumstances—for threatening the life of a free person or exhibiting incorrigible antisocial behavior. 2005 R. Nidel vi. 327 When former slaves became free they migrated to Rio. society > morality > virtue > purity > innocence > [adjective] > sinless OE (Northumbrian) viii. 36 Si ergo filius uos liberauerit uere liberi eritis : gif uutudlice ðe sune iuih gefriað uel soðlice freo [OE Rushw. frio] uel ge biðon. OE Wærferð tr. Gregory (Corpus Cambr.) (1900) ii. ii.102 He wæs freo þa fram þæra uncysta deofles costunge [OE Hatton þa freoh fram leahtre þære costnunge; L. liber quippe a temptationis uitio] & eallunga mid rihte wæs geworden mægna lareow. a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris (1873) 2nd Ser. 101 (MED) Ure louerd..hadde maked hem fre of þe deules þralsipe. a1350 in G. L. Brook (1968) 59 (MED) He wolde make þe fre ant bicome þi broþer. c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xxii. 59 (MED) Hus heorte blode he shadde, To maken alle folk freo þat folwen hus lawe. ?a1475 (1922) 58 (MED) I am david..and of my blood xal sprynge oure bote..to make man fre. c1500 (Ashm.) (1967) 186 (MED) Now be we thrall þat are wer fre. a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil (1959) x. iii. 84 Of the fatys fre [L. libera fati]. 1611 Gal. v. 1. Stand fast therefore in the libertie wherewith Christ hath made vs free, and bee not intangled againe with the yoke of bondage. View more context for this quotation 1655 J. Denham (new ed.) 7 Who..free from Conscience, is a slave to Fame. 1695 Ld. Preston tr. Boethius iv. 194 Everything is by so much the freer from Fate. 2006 (Nexis) 7 Apr. We come from the slavery of sin, but Jesus Christ delivered us. Now, we are free. society > occupation and work > work > [noun] > labour of free workers 1820 1st Sess. I. 1213 Free labor and slave labor cannot be employed together. 1856 F. L. Olmsted 100 He is satisfied that at present free-labor is more profitable than slave-labor. 1867 Mar. 372/2 The habits of life and modes of thinking characteristic of a free-labor society. 1900 H. Lawson 65 He would have to..lie in the road..and be walked on by camels and Afghans and free-labourers. 1944 64 18 The form of exploitation kept..the price of labour cheap, whether free or slave. 1976 35 108 There is always an incentive to economize on relatively scarce resources, which is what labor—free or slave—was in the anti-bellum [sic] South. 2002 S. Delfino in S. Delfino & M. Gillespie xiii. 304 Starobin calculated that the annual cost of hired slaves was between 25 and 40 percent cheaper than that [sic] cost of free manpower. 2. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > [adjective] > having civil liberty eOE tr. Bede (Tanner) iii. xviii. 240 Awurpon þa ealdormen þæs fremdan cyninges & heora land..stronglice geeodon & freodom onfengon, & swa freo heo mid heora cyninge [L. cum suo rege liberi] Drihtne Criste..gefeonde þeowodon. a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris (1873) 2nd Ser. 53 (MED) Chirus..makede frie þat israelisse folk. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) l. 7352 We beoð in ure londe freo and swa scone swa þi folc is of Rome. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) 265 (MED) He ssolde þe noble folc..Oout of seruage lete..þat aȝte be so fre vor to winne hor riȝte. c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 1 Macc. x. 31 And Jerusalem be holy and free, with his coostis. c1450 (a1425) (Selden) l. 1659 (MED) To byd hym lett my folke go free owt of his land. 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour (Adv.) i. 219 Al[a]s that folk that euer wes fre..War tretyt than sa wykkytly. 1565 A. Golding tr. Caesar Pref. *viii v Frank and free people that wold not be bond or subiect to any man. 1590 tr. 14 The very patterns of monstruous ingratitude, the like whereof the world did neuer yielde, as those..bredde as vassals to the Castillian tiranny, then in this most faire, and free Countrey of France. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. i. 48 Till the iniurious Romans, did extort This Tribute from vs, we were free . View more context for this quotation 1667 J. Milton i. 259 Here at least We shall be free . View more context for this quotation 1726 J. Swift I. ii. vi. 116 He was amazed to hear me talk of a mercenary standing Army in the midst of Peace, and among a Free People. 1769 W. Blackstone IV. xi. 151 The liberty of the press is indeed essential to the nature of a free state; but this consists in laying no previous restraints upon publications, and not in freedom from censure for criminal matter when published. 1797 ‘English Lady’ I. 155 France is now the freeest country in the world. 1818 W. Cobbett i. i. 37 Is it not a mockery to call a man free, who no more dares turn his tallow into candles for his own use, than he dares rob upon the high way? 1867 S. Smiles ix. 216 Holland..became the chief European centre of free thought, free religion, and free industry. 1910 I. 758/2 Parts of the Bukhtarma valley have been colonized since the 18th century by runaway Russian peasants..who created there a free republic on Chinese territory. 1951 I. Shaw xxi. 347 The benefits of a free society extended from one end of the economic spectrum to the others. 1977 Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o ii. iii. 143 Those who had fought and died that Kenya might be free. 1991 22 June 74/3 Mr Hussein promises his country a free press, free elections, free political parties,..the distancing of the Baath Party from government and an independent judiciary. 2005 21 July 24/5 Part of being British is recognising that this is a free country, in which people can have frank views about religion. b. spec.society > authority > lack of subjection > rebelliousness > political disaffection > [adjective] > with regard to occupying power 1940 28 June 1/7 The British government has recognized Gen. Charles De Gaulle as ‘the leader of all free Frenchmen’, an official announcement said today. 1940 2 July 4/3 General de Gaulle..announced officially last night that he has appointed Vice-Admiral Muselier to be Commander of the Free-French Naval Forces. 1940 31 Aug. 9/6 Free Norway has now its own bi-weekly newspaper, Norsk Tidend, published in London. 1940 (Weekly ed.) 27 Nov. 11 He dwelt on the importance of the war in the Mediterranean theatre and of the part that Free France could play there in snatching triumph out of defeat. 1941 C. Graves 4 To-day we have the scattered remnants of the Free French, Free Dutch, Free Polish, and Free Norwegian Fleets to render certain assistance. 1965 B. Sweet-Escott ii. 52 What the refugees themselves seemed to have in mind was that we should recognize them as a ‘Free Rumanian’ or a ‘Free Bulgarian’ movement. 1969 16 Sept. 11/3 The absurd romanticism of Free Belfast. 1985 (Nexis) 10 May b8 For a short while during the war, Tromso..served as the capital of Free Norway and a center of resistance activities. 1991 T. Dupuy i. 12 Syria was taken from Vichy French troops by British and Free French forces in July 1941. 2004 R. Mayne et al. v. 88 Other crises marked relations between Britain and Free France during World War II. society > authority > rule or government > a or the state > [noun] > non-communist states 1946 9 Sept. 10/5 We can reasonably look forward to a time when Germans will nakedly present, for the whole world to see, the clearest contrast between the fruits of the free world of the West and the slave world of the East. 1950 17 July 32/3 A branch of the National Committee for a Free Europe founded last year by a group of private U.S. citizens. 1954 P. Williams 410 In October [1953]..the Vietnam national congress resolved that free Vietnam would not remain within the French Union in its present form. 1957 169 Throughout free Europe from Norway to the Turco-Soviet frontier. 1958 G. Wint iv. 73 The Communist parties in most of the countries of free Asia had been prospering by their quiet methods of boring from within. 1963 19 Apr. 11/2 The free-world countries involved were Britain and Greece. 1985 D. Harvey in D. Gregory & J. Urry vii. 161 Co-optation and repression, at home and abroad, to keep the free world free for the circulation of capital, became the dominant political theme. 2006 (Nexis) 5 Dec. 17 Our cynical use of the word ‘democracy’ was mirrored by some cold warriors on the Free World's side. 3. society > society and the community > social class > nobility > [adjective] OE (1931) 1642 Þa wearð Seme suna and dohtra on woruldrice worn afeded, freora bearna. OE (1932) lvi. 11 Ic þe on folcum frine drihten ecne andete, eac geond þeode sealmas singe swiðe geneahhige. c1225 (?c1200) (1973) l. 1174 (MED) O godd, þe is al freo, ne mei nan uuel festnin. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1978) l. 11764 Þa andswarede Frolle; freo he wes an heorte. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) l. 8689 (MED) He was þulke of alle is sones þat best bicom king to be, Of vairost fourme & best maneres & mest gentil & fre. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 8121 Als milk þair [sc. disfigured Ethiopians] hide be-com sa quite, And o fre blod þai had þe heu. c1400 (?c1380) 795 My ioy, my blys, my lemman fre. c1450 (c1380) G. Chaucer 442 His fader, Anchises the free. 1490 W. Caxton tr. (1885) ix. 199 They met wyth damp Rambault, the free knyght. a1500 (a1460) (1994) I. xiv. 165 For to wyrship that chyld so fre. c1557 (new ed.) sig. Biiv To haue a sight I wolde be faine Of that lady fre. 1808 W. Scott v. x. 255 Nor to that lady free alone Did the gay King allegiance own. society > morality > virtue > morally elevated quality > [adjective] > high-minded or magnanimous c1380 (1879) l. 1413 (MED) Saw ich þanne þat noble man to don a dede free. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 25524 (MED) Þat ilk time þore mistred þe, Suet iesu! wit hert sa fre, To maria magdalene. c1540 (?a1400) 525 ‘Now frynd,’ quod þat faire, ‘as ye bene fre holden, Will ye suffer me to say, and the sothe telle?’ 1559 W. Baldwin et al. Salisbury xviii Vertuous life, fre hart and lowly mind. 1594 xlvii. f. 43v You must be secret, constant, free. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1622) iii. iii. 203 I would not haue your free and noble nature, Out of selfe-bounty be abus'd. View more context for this quotation 1679 B. Keach ii. iii. 183 He's bountiful, and of a generous heart, Most free and noble, ready to impart What e're he hath unto the Soul he loves. society > education > learning > study > subject or object of study > [adjective] > liberal OE tr. Bede (Corpus Oxf.) v. xvi. 448 Wæs he se wer æghwonan se gelæredesta; wæs he ge on wordum hluttor & scinende ge eac on gelærednesse gewrito ge freora ge cyriclicra [L. tam liberalium quam ecclesiasticarum] to wundrienne. 1482 W. Caxton vi. i. f. cclxxxiv He made hem alle lerne gramer and other fre artes and scyences. a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. (Rawl.) (1898) 150 (MED) He sholde make his chyldryn to lerne fre Sciencis of Clergi. c1540 (?a1400) l. 1497 Cassandra..Enformet was faire of þe fre artis. 1656 J. Ellistone & J. Sparrow tr. J. Böhme (new ed.) xxxv. 222 Even out of Nature the Seven free Arts [Ger. die sieben frehe Künste] or liberall Sciences should be found under a naturall Philosophy. a1668 W. Davenant (1685) v. 11 They will admire thy force 'gainst Gothick rage, Thy Head of Athens, and thy Woman breast, Which rescu'd these Records in a rude Age, When the free Arts were frighted, and opprest. 1849 Mrs. G. Horrocks tr. W. Menzel (1870) III. ccxli. 116 The duke had, since 1770, occupied himself with the Charles College, so called after him, where the scholars..received excellent instruction in all the free sciences. 1927 J. T. Sheppard vii. 148 The central tableau was enlivened with a charming Morality, Apollo and the Muses with the gifts of the Free Arts on one side, on the other Pleasure with the seductive Vices. 1950 C. M. Breuning-Williamson tr. P. T. A. Swillens i. 36 Leonard Bramer has..painted the wooden vault consisting of eight spaces with the seven free arts, adding for the eighth space the art of painting. 1989 52 239/1 He stated that Frans Floris had shown Pictura and Sculptura among the free arts, ‘geschildert onder de vrije consten’ on his house. II. Unrestricted, released, loose. 5. the world > action or operation > easiness > [adjective] > not hindering or encumbering > not hindered or encumbered eOE tr. Bede (Tanner) iv. xiii. 292 Seo ær hire þeowa hondum þyder gelæded wæs, heo þa freo on hire fota gongum [L. libero pedum incessu] bliðe ham hweorfende wæs. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 623 He [sc. Noah] and hise wif wenten ut fre. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 13079 (MED) Þe king þam lete haf fre entre [sc. to the prison]. a1400 tr. Lanfranc (Ashm.) (1894) 152 Þe necke schal neuere have his free meuynge. 1463 in S. Tymms (1850) 22 Fre owth goyng and in comyng. ?1504 W. Atkinson tr. Thomas à Kempis (Pynson) iii. xxiii. sig. kiv I maye nat haue fre accesse to the: ne haue thy swete enbrasynge. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart I. ccxxix. f. cxxviv Their message was desyring hym to..gyue free passage to the pylgrimes of god. 1580 A. Munday i. 14 Open windowes, that the ayre, free entraunce in may haue. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. ii. 77 We shall haue the freer [1602 fairer] woing at Mr Pages. View more context for this quotation 1655 T. Fuller v. 199 Whilst each Bishop in his respective Diocesse, Priest in his Parish, were freer than formerly in execution of their Office. 1713 G. Berkeley in 7 May 2/1 [A] Library that I have free Access to. 1791 A. Radcliffe I. vi. 217 Her dress, loosened for the purpose of freer respiration. 1828 Ld. Grenville p. viii Without the free examination of previously received opinion, no branch of human knowledge can ever be advanced. 1851 J. Ruskin I. xvii. 188 They have free admission of the light of Heaven. 1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato (ed. 2) III. 112 The various passions are allowed to have free play. 1915 5 652 Organization from the time of Adam Smith to the present has been thought to be an obstructor of free competition. 1953 Apr. 52/2 The outgoing chadless tape tends to engage the entering tape and interfere with its free downward movement. 1991 21 Nov. a19/2 The EC is on the verge of opening its borders and allowing free movement of labour, so that a Greek, for instance, could settle in France without hindrance. 2002 O. Figes (2003) vi. iii. 462 In place of such free expressivity, Meyerhold insisted on the actors' rhythmic regimentation. the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adjective] society > authority > lack of subjection > permission > [adjective] > permitted or allowed > permitted by one's conscience society > authority > lack of subjection > permission > [adjective] eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory (Hatton) (1871) xviii. 131 Githro his sueor..lærde hine ðæt he gesette oðre for hine to demenne betweox ðæm folce ymbe hira geflita, ðæt he wære ðæs ðe freorra to ongietanne ða dieglan & ða gæstlican ðing. lOE King Ælfred tr. St. Augustine (Vitell.) (1922) i. 37 Forði ic hohggode [read hohgode] þæt ic scolde nan [wif] habban, forði ic wolde beon þi freora gode to þawianne. c1380 (1879) 2049 (MED) Tel me..þy name ariȝt, as þow art freo to fonde. c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) Prol. l. 49 I am free To wedde a goddes half where it liketh me. 1467 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith (1870) 399 (MED) That euery tyler be ffree to come and go, to worche with euery man and citezen. a1500 (?c1440) J. Lydgate Horse, Goose & Sheep (Lansd.) l. 10 in (1934) ii. 539 (MED) The lawe made hem fre Without excepcioun to come to audience. 1531 W. Tyndale f. xcvij For when the husbonde is deed, the wife is fre to mary to whom she wyll. 1590 R. Wilson sig. C3 Time hath made mee a free man, as free to beare water and sell Ballades, as the best of our copulation. 1666 S. Pepys 1 May (1972) VII. 114 Thomas Pepys did come to me to consult about..his being a Justice of the Peace, which he is much against..[He] tells me as a confidence that he is not free to exercise punishment..against Quakers and other people, for religion. 1697 W. Dampier iii. 31 Privateers are not obliged to any Ship, but free to go ashore where they please. 1781 E. Gibbon II. xxi. 252 The mysterious Homoousion, which either party was free to interpret according to their peculiar tenets. 1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian vii, in 2nd Ser. II. 186 If ye arena free in conscience to speak for her in the court of judicature. 1841 C. Dickens i. xxxi. 271 They were..free to come and go. 1876 S. Smiles iii. 59 Some other occupation that would leave him freer to move about. 1890 J. Rankine (ed. 18) i. vi. 57 If there has been cohabitation and habit and repute for a sufficient time after the parties were free to marry. 1901 ‘H. McHugh’ 77 I've known Tommy for a long time, so he feels free to read his dope to me. 1934 G. B. Shaw On the Rocks (new ed.) Pref., in 158 They are free to enter upon a series of quite legitimate but not the less nefarious operations. 1962 S. Raven i. v. 62 Uncle James is free to draw up to £1,000 if he needs it. 2005 12 Aug. 14/1 A priest who marries after the death of his wife is free to stay as a lay member in the parish he formerly served. society > morality > rightness or justice > [adjective] > impartial 1653 H. More i. xi. 39 I appeale to any free Judge. 1686 Bp. G. Burnet i. 60 I wish they had larger, and freer souls. the world > animals > birds > flight > [adjective] 1657 R. Ligon 4 Her ordinary flying..is commonly more free then the best Haggard Faulcon. 1657 R. Ligon 4 A kinde of sea Hawke..of a far freer wing, and of a longer continuance. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > [adjective] > in one's movements or of movement 1667 R. L'Estrange tr. F. de Quevedo v. 165 Her Motion was graceful, and Free. 1678 J. Gailhard ii. 49 A Master teaches the steps, but the grace, the carriage, and the free motion of the body must chiefly come from us. 1721 R. Samber tr. A. de La Motte 351 He had a strong Voice, free Gesture, and good Tone. 1762 W. Kenrick tr. J.-J. Rousseau I. ii. 271 The motions of those children were less free, their attitudes less graceful. 1807 W. Wordsworth I. 15 Her household motions light and free, And steps of virgin liberty. 1849 G. P. R. James I. vii. 128 The traveller came forward with a bold, free step. 1914 M. Fokine Let. 6 July in R. Copeland & M. Cohen (1983) iv. 259 All alike are far removed from the natural movements of man, and cannot be reconciled with any theory of free and natural dancing. 1945 A. Bryant ix. 220 In the quick march which he..devised for the light infantryman, the constrained and rigid movements of the Prussian march were abandoned for a free and natural rhythm. 1976 K. Reddick 44 At all paces the Welsh Mountain pony has a good, free action. 2004 (Nexis) 24 Nov. She had painted images of the early 20th century dancer Isadora Duncan because of her expressive, free gestures. 1732 G. Berkeley I. i. xi. 24 Suppose now a Drawing finished by the nice and laborious Touches of a Dutch Pencil, and another off-hand scratched out in the free manner of a great Italian Master. 1835 5 552 A strong, free picture. The artist has boldly encountered every difficulty..—wielding his pencil as though he were not afraid of it. 1979 P. Matthiessen i. 27 Compare the wild, free paintings of the child with the stiff, pinched ‘pictures’ these become. 1997 M. Acton (2000) i. 13 The raw energy of this is expressed in the free and fluid brushwork. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > [adjective] > types of batting 1851 J. Pycroft iv. 59 In olden time the freest hitter was the best batsman. 1851 J. Pycroft x. 203 Many a man..whose talent lies in defence, tries free hitting, and between the two proves good for nothing. 1885 19 Sept. 143/2 Behind the stumps unbeatable, free bat, and slashing field. 1935 5 Aug. 4/7 Mayhew, naturally a very free bat, laudably curbed his inclination and played very steadily indeed. 1990 (Nexis) 8 Mar. The one-day game is the perfect opportunity for the free-hitters such as captain David Hookes..to indulge in some spectacular batting fireworks. 6. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > [adjective] > free from confinement society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > liberation > set free [verb (transitive)] OE Ælfric (Cambr. Gg.3.28) xxvii. 243 He ðe wolde fram deoflum gebundenne to him alædan, alys ðu hine nu fram deoflum gehæftne, and læt hine gan frigne [L. liberum ire permitte]. OE Ælfric Homily (Hatton 114) in J. C. Pope (1968) II. 744 Witodlice ic dyde þæt þa gewurdon cristene ealle þe in ðam cwarterne beclysode wæron, and ic hi ealle gescrydde mid eallhwitum reafe, and ic let hi frige faran gif hi woldon. ?c1250 in C. Brown (1932) 11 (MED) Of prisun thar ich in am, bring me vt and makye fre. a1275 in C. Brown (1932) 49 (MED) We sculden to heuene sten..make us freo, for to bein þer, of þe fendes nette. c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 434 Thow art at thy large of prisoun free. 1544 A. Cope xxvii. f. 40 They commanded to let the old senatours go free, and vse their romthes. 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay i. xx. 24 b He wold..set them at free deliverance. 1609 W. Shakespeare xix. 124 That the gods would set me free from this vnhalowed place. a1671 T. Fairfax (1699) 122 Which [surrender] after 4 months close siege they were compelled to, and that upon mercy;..delivering upon mercy, is to be understood that some are to suffer, the rest to go free. 1718 M. Prior (new ed.) 73 Set an unhappy pris'ner free, Who ne'er intended harm to thee. 1720 D. Defoe 266 We would let them go free. a1770 T. Chatterton (1971) I. 221 Whanne you, as caytysned, yn fielde dyd bee, Hee oathed you to the stylle, and strayte dydd sette you free. 1824 W. Lee ii. iii. 38 You are free!—fly!—Lose no time, the alarm is given, the peasants are assembling—save yourself. 1845 C. Griffith 76 Men, who, having been formerly convicts..have become free by the expiration of their sentences. 1872 J. Morley i. 2 Calvin,..set free all those souls. 1925 21 Dec. 1/7 She walked free today after her fourth arrest in as many months. 1966 N. Gordimer (1982) 35 Imagine, whether you get ten years or go free can depend on whether or not your counsel can out-talk the other man's. 1995 N. Blincoe xxviii. 218 If Junk had opened the first door, she could kick open the firedoor and she was free. 2004 17 May 81/2 Now he would max out his prison term and be set free with no constraints. the world > animals > by habitat > [adjective] > not kept in confinement c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xii. 250 Godes foules and hus free bestes. 1535 Job xxxix. 4 Who letteth the wilde asse go fre, or who lowseth the bondes of the Moole? 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis vi, in tr. Virgil 388 Their Steeds around, Free from their Harness, graze the flow'ry Ground. 1801 R. Southey II. ix. 153 The dogs with eager yell Are struggling to be free. 1844 A. B. Welby (1867) 35 The round blue heaven is all thine own, O free and happy bird! 1849 T. B. Macaulay I. 312 Deer, as free as in an American forest, wandered there by thousands. 1932 A. Bell viii. 103 What was there to compare with the joy of working a young horse you had broken in yourself, and had known from the time it ran free and wild in the meadow? 1958 S. Plath 23 July (2000) 252 Occasionally they passed a herd of black bulls, roaming free and grazing at will on the open plains. 2003 (National ed.) 7 Mar. d2/4 One American tried to circulate a petition demanding a leash law to keep dogs from running free on the beach. ?1789 in J. Hunter (1793) xiii. 346 A plan had been concerted among the convicts, to surprize me, with the rest of the officers, marines and free people. 1837 Minutes of Evid. Rep. Select Comm. Transportation 13 in (H.C. 518) XIX. 1 The pardoned convict or the free convict enjoys all the political rights of the free emigrants. 1849 S. Sidney & J. Sidney 323 It was no unusual thing to find a blacksmith, not yet free, the owner of 100 or 150 head of good cattle. 1962 C. M. H. Clark iv. iv. 371 It was..dangerous to submit..the life of a free person in New South Wales to the verdict..of a jury of remitted convicts. 2004 68 958 Ex-convicts and free settlers..impinged on the important Aboriginal food bases..from 1796 to 1816. 7. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > [adjective] > free from obligations or ties OE (Corpus Cambr.) 99 Embe twegen monðas sy þes regol geræd him ætforan, and sy him þus to gecweden: Her is seo æ, þe þu under hire tæcinge winnan wilt and campian; gif þe onhagige, þæt þu hit healdan mæge, far ðe in; gif þe ne onhagige, far ðe freoh [a1225 Winteney fri], þider þu wille. OE Ælfric Homily: De Doctrina Apostolica (Hatton 115) in J. C. Pope (1968) II. 626 Ðæt wif byð under hyre weres iuce þa hwile þe he leofað; and gif heo hyre wer oferbit, þonne byð heo frig, swa heo on wydewan hade wunige, swa heo ceorlige. c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 147 Ther I was free I moot ben in seruage. ?c1450 (?c1390) G. Chaucer (Pepys 2006) (1886) l. 29 Syn I fro loue escaped am..Syn I am fre I Counte hym not a bene. a1475 in A. Clark (1906) ii. 680 (MED) Hit shall be lawfull to you to resceive fre persones and lowsid fleyng fro the worlde to conuersion. a1605 A. Montgomerie 1 I rather far be fast nor frie, Albeit I micht my mynd remove. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. v. 57 Free Madam, no:..He's bound vnto Octauia. View more context for this quotation a1721 M. Prior Phillis, since We (song) in (1742) II. 127 We both have spent our Stock of Love, So consequently should be free. a1722 J. Lauder (1848) I. 203 The adultery..was only of a free woman with ane married man. 1774 R. Warner tr. Plautus Lots iv. iv in B. Thornton et al. tr. Plautus V. 345 Sta. Well, are they gone at last? Olym. Your wife's at home: fear nothing. Sta. Then, huzza! By Pollux! I'm now free at last—My honey! 1836 R. P. Smith II. 200 I come to give you back your promise, and the ring with which you sealed it. Take it—be henceforth free; marry my sister. 1859 J. D. Burn (ed. 4) 2 Since I was what may be termed a free man; or, in other words, since I became independent. 1926 R. Macaulay ii. viii. 162 He would surely cease to brood over his child that might have been, and remember how much freeer they were without it. 1943 in (1976) X. (at cited word) I'm looking for a free man for foreman. We haena a cottar house. 1990 S. Sturges lii. 312 Finally the divorce mills got through their slow grinding and both the daughter and I were free and unencumbered. 2004 (Nexis) 24 Feb. 34 He wanted to sign them, but they had a contract elsewhere. Once they were free, they called Most. society > leisure > [adjective] > at or having leisure OE Wulfstan Homily: Be Mistlican Gelimpan (Tiber. A.iii) in A. S. Napier (1883) 173 Þeowlincgas þa þry dagas ælces weorces beon frige wið þam, þe hig þæt fæstan þe lustlicor fæstan, wyrcan heom sylfan þæt, þæt hi willan. lOE (Corpus Cambr.) xviii. 451 Be bydele. Bydele gebyrað, þæt he for his wycan sy weorces frigra ðonne oðer man; forðan he sceal beon oftræde. c1390 (c1300) MS Vernon Homilies in (1877) 57 277 (MED) Of Couent labur was he mad fre And nout but þat he wolde dude he. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil 90 The Swain, who, free from Business and Debate Receives his easy Food from Nature's Hand. View more context for this quotation 1700 S. L. tr. C. Schweitzer Relation Voy. in tr. C. Frick & C. Schweitzer 300 They watch and are free by turns in the day-time, but at night they must all be in the Fort. a1715 Bp. G. Burnet (1724) I. 426 Coleman had a whole day free to make his escape. 1853 12 Oct. 2/2 (advt.) A French gentleman..offers to teach..for his board and lodging, provided he has his afternoons free. 1897 B. Stoker xiii. 168 He will be free after his father's funeral to-morrow, and he will want to see her. 1915 D. H. Lawrence 253 But she was free only on Sundays. 1953 K. Amis viii. 90 What about lunch to-day? Are you free? 1978 P. Roth 167 He and a Czech friend of his..have the afternoon free and are able to give us a tour of old Prague. 2002 G. Mccafferty vi. 48 All [pigeon] lofts worked on a roster system, two days on service and two days free. 1828 J. Porter Field of Forty Footsteps xxix, in J. Porter & A. M. Porter III. 662 Geoffrey..slipped his free hand to his belt..drawing out his dagger. 1895 A. M. C. Clive-Bayley xii. 147 No more berths were free, the train being crowded to excess. 1932 E. Waugh iv. 156 There is no table free. 1964 21 Oct. 6/2 Calls will be completed automatically when the line is free. 2007 (Nexis) 25 June 14 The man opposite me was sitting on the aisle side, leaving the window seat free. society > morality > virtue > purity > innocence > [adjective] > free from guilt OE 87 Þu woldest symle þone besmitan þe þu nan wiht yfles on nystest. Tohwon læddest þu þeosne freone & unscyldigne hider? c1400 (?c1380) (1920) 741 (MED) Quat if faurty be fre, and fauty þyse oþer? 1591 i. sig. F3v I plead not guiltie, treasonles and free. 1603 W. Shakespeare iii. ii. 230 It toucheth not vs, you and I that haue free Soules. 1604 W. Shakespeare v. ii. 284 Laer. Mine and my fathers death come not vppon thee, Nor thine on me. Ham. Heauen make thee free of it. View more context for this quotation 1637 S. Rutherford 23 Sept. (1891) 521 I am free from the blood of all men, for I have communicated to you the whole counsel of God. 1657 R. Ligon 3 A man that hath a free heart, and a good Conscience. 1679 J. Dryden & N. Lee iii. 47 My hands are guilty, but my heart is free. 1841 C. Dickens lxxiii. 221 Protesting that he had a better opinion of him when he was supposed to have stolen the five-pound note, than when he was shown to be perfectly free of the crime. 1881 D. Belasco Stranglers of Paris vii, in (1941) XVIII. 98 Papen. Yes, he is innocent... Rob. He is here and free of every crime. 1929 27 Oct. 22/3 [He] is free of the charge of battery recently lodged against him by an ex-employee. 1956 W. Haber & H. M. Levinson iii. 47 The overwhelming majority of building trade union officials are free of the charge of racketeering and graft. 1984 (Nexis) 6 Apr. f2 I've always been confident that I'd get a fair deal and that I would come out free of this accusation of which I am completely innocent. 9. the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > [adjective] > open and unobstructed the world > matter > gas > air > [adjective] > breathed > in which one breathes freely c1230 (?a1200) (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 113 He..druhede þe reade sea. & makede ham freo [a1250 Nero ureo] wei þurh hire. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 3244 On twel doles delt ist ðe se, xii weiges ðerin ben faiger and fre. a1400 (a1325) (Gött.) l. 5932 (MED) Al þe erde þai couerd sua, A man miht noght fre sett his ta, Bath in hous and wid-vte. a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer (Hunterian) (1891) l. 503 If that the passage openly Hadde be unto me free. 1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay xxxi. 578 By that meane God meant to open a free way to the preaching of his Gospell. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 232 Are not the streets [printed streers] as free For me, as for you? View more context for this quotation 1671 J. Narborough Jrnl. in (1711) i. 145 They did meet with no Ice, but a free and open Sea. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil 50 Where in the Void of Heav'n a Space is free, Betwixt the Scorpion and the Maid for thee. View more context for this quotation 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil 135 They stop his Nostrils, while he strives in vain To breath free Air. View more context for this quotation 1724 T. Townsend tr. A. de Solis iv. xii. 193 They retreated in that Manner, and left him the Entrance free. 1776 J. Anderson ii. 75 If any door or window is opened, so as to admit plenty of free air, the smoke will be quickly dispelled. 1808 W. Scott i. iv. 26 And quickly make the entrance free. 1856 E. K. Kane I. iii. 35 The wind off shore—with much free water. 1878 C. Patmore i. 9 Our weary spirits flagg'd beneath The still and loaded air; We left behind the freër heath. 1938 Jan. 9/2 Locating the service wing and driveway on the north side, leaving three sides free for garden space. 1968 91 698 A closely fitting polyethylene tube was inserted into the trachea through a tracheostomy and a free airway was maintained with a minimum of deadspace and without leakage. 1989 M. Owen 84 Clear of the hill and in free air disaster may not be inevitable, but when flying in crowded air a collision could be the result. society > occupation and work > materials > types of material generally > [adjective] > mouldable or workable c1300 St. Kenelm (Laud) 326 in C. Horstmann (1887) 354 (MED) A fair welle þare sprong op..wel faire i-heoled with freo ston. 1399 in G. D. MacRae (1975) No. 6 The forsaid masonys sale hew to the forsaid comownys xii durris & xii wyndowys in fre tailly. 1529 in H. M. Paton (1957) I. 7 Resavit..be the master masoune..ane hundreitht peis fre tailye of the quarell Leyth hill. 1573 in R. Willis & J. W. Clark (1886) I. 174 Item for Ramsey stone free and ragge. 1676 A. Wood (1892) II. 353 Many flat stones, but being free and soft, their inscriptions are woren out. 1762 A. Dickson i. iv. 54 Even that kind of land that is most free and open in its nature, is found to be rendered more fertile by [fallowing]. 1793 J. Smeaton (ed. 2) §106 This stone was capable of being thus wrought, and was so free to the tool. 1812 J. Sinclair i. 231 A dry, free soil, on a sound under-ground or bottom. 1910 May 240/1 Quarry owners who have stone which is a very free stone when first cut and hardens markedly thereafter. 1916 E. P. Stebbing iv. 49 On very free soil one man can make 1,000 holes a day. 1964 3 Sept. (Aspects of Scotland Suppl.) p. vii/1 The Laigh of Moray is blessed with a free soil and a gentle climate. 1998 N. Harper 57 One bite o her Victoria sponge and it fell tae bits in ma lap. Onything as free as thon should nivver hiv won first prize. the mind > possession > non-possession > [adjective] > devoid of something a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 3098 On wind..ðo opperes nam..ðo Pharaun sag is lond al fre. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xv. xlii. 749 An ilonde free and clene withoute venym, neuer þe lesse þereinne breedeþ spalange þat ben venymous attercoppes. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 5923 (MED) Ne was in hus na vessel fre..O þis watur þat sua stanc. c1564 Buckleye lxi, in R. Hughey (1960) II. 285 She her meatie mouth well stoppes Wth pleasinge meate quite free from bones. 1602 J. Brereton 5 But as no coast is free from dangers, so I am persuaded, this is as free as any. 1626 F. Bacon §532 It is certain that timber trees in Coppice-woods grow more upright and more free from under-boughs, than those that stand in the fields. 1670 J. Narborough Jrnl. in (1711) i. 20 Every Man is commanded to keep himself clean, and free from Lice. 1688 R. Holme iii. 236/2 A Woman all Hairy, no part of her Face free. 1698 J. Fryer 117 These places are seldom free from Soldiers and Seamen. 1756 C. Lucas iii. 120 There is hardly any mine..free from pyrite. ?1790 3 The Steps to be of Inch and half Oak-plank, and Raisers whole yellow Deals free from Sap. 1860 J. Tyndall i. xix. 135 [Glacier] Ice, singularly free from air-bubbles. 1885 79 176/1 The main travelling ways..had been..reported free from any accumulation of foul gas. 1907 25 May 641/1 The..picture..is free from the strident colour which he has sometimes fallen into of late. 1928 K. Landsteiner in E. O. Jordan & I. S. Falk lxviii. 906 With proper preliminary compatibility tests..transfusions are almost free of danger. 1955 R. M. Pearl 71 When free of tarnish, native silver (Ag) can be a handsome mineral. 1976 J. H. Hertz 652 A red heifer, free from blemish. 2001 2 July 13/3 Parts of the test site are so contaminated from nuclear testing they will never be free of radioactivity. the world > plants > part of plant > part of tree or woody plant > wood > [adjective] > of or having knots > not having knots 1678 J. Moxon I. iv. 63 If your wood be soft, and your Stuff free and frowy, that is, evenly temper'd all the way. 1771 T. S. Kuckahn in (Royal Soc.) 60 315 Out of any soft free wood, cut an artificial one. 1973 Recorded Interview 9 Sept. in (National Libr. Australia) Transcript ORAL TRC 218. 21 When they felled it, the first thing they had to do before they fell it, they'd take a piece out, some chips, and they'd split that with the axe to see if he was free enough for paling. 10. society > authority > lack of subjection > permission > [adjective] > that can be permitted > to a person 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane f. ccxlvj v It shall be free for euery man to ioyne hym selfe vnto thys league. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Alexander the Great in 216 If that which we have learned, be free for every man to know. 1619 E. M. Bolton in tr. Florus To Rdr. sig. A4v Bee it free, with reuerence and modestie, to note ouer-sights. 1641 J. Jackson i. 44 It was free to every one to bastinado a Christian where he met him. 1667 J. Milton iv. 747 Defaming as impure what God declares Pure, and commands to som, leaves free to all. View more context for this quotation 1709 T. Hearne Diary 4 Apr. in (1886) II. 180 Ye Copy was..free to ye View of any one. 1796 E. Burke Let. to Noble Lord in (1815) VIII. 32 His Grace may think as meanly as he will of my deserts..It is free for him to do so. 1816 M. Keating (1817) I. 291 Errors, popular or not, are lawful game, and free to every one to hunt down. 1854 R. C. Trench (ed. 4) xxxii. 449 The twelve legions of angels, whom it was free to him to summon to his aid. 1918 T. Q. Dumont vii. 63 The Mental Demand seems an unreal power because it is intangible; but it is the mightiest power in the world. It is a power that is free for you to use. 1941 31 Jan. 109/2 It may be objected..that the hoped for monographs will merely remain as a basis for nomenclature, it being free to everybody to alter the rank of the units proposed therein to suit his convenience. 1964 20 Mar. 19/4 This is not plagiarism. It is the extension of potent technique which is free for anyone to exploit. society > leisure > the arts > the arts in general > [adjective] > qualities of works generally the world > relative properties > order > disorder > irregularity > unconformity > [adjective] > of a copy, etc.: not conforming to original the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > meaning > explanation, exposition > translation > [adjective] > free 1728 T. Gordon in tr. Tacitus I. ii. xiv. 62 No man that is merely Learned, can ever be pleased with a free Translation how faithful and just. a1771 T. Gray Observ. Eng. Metre in (1814) II. 29 A free verse of eleven or twelve syllables, which may consist of four Amphibrachees..so Prior: ‘As Chlōĕ căme īntŏ thĕ rōom t'ŏthĕr dāy.’ 1821 W. M. Craig vii. 406 A free and tasteful expression of the minute forms in landscape. 1844 A. P. Stanley I. iii. 142 Any mistake of grammar or construction, however dexterously concealed in the folds of a free translation. 1869 F. A. G. Ouseley xv. 97 When..it becomes impossible to follow exactly all the intervals proposed..The imitation is then said to be Free, or Irregular. 1921 24 Feb. 130/4 The free metre often employed (which sometimes falls into simple prose). 1959 D. Cooke i. 9 What small amount of polyphony it [sc. the ‘St Matthew’ Passion] does contain is mostly ‘free’. 1977 S. Kostof 62 Free renditions of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem stood in Pisa and Cambridge, in Fulda and Paderborn. 1993 38 108 The main body of the book..consists of Cree texts in Roman orthography with relatively free English translations on the facing pages. 2000 25 July (London ed.) 19/1 There's a rather casual attitude to timescale and a few longueurs but this is generally an interesting, if free, interpretation of historical events. society > society and the community > dissent > fighting > [noun] > a fight > in which anyone or everyone joins 1729 J. Cheny 7 A second Hundred of the King's Guineas were run for, being free as usual for 5 Year old Mares, carrying 10 st. 1787 5 June 3/4 His Majesty's Plate of 100gs. free for any horse, mare, or gelding, carrying 12st. being no more than 6 years old. 1803 31 Aug. To be run for, over a handsome course... A purse of forty dollars, free for any horse, mare or gelding, that never won a purse to the amount of 30 dollars. 1829 11 July 2/5 A Free Handicap of 15 sovereigns each, 10 ft., with 30 sovereigns added, for all ages. 1845 2 June A rough and ready Kentuckian, who, riding up, a stranger, to a gathering of some fifty or sixty ‘Hoosiers’ or ‘Wolverines’ engaged in a general fracas,..inquired, ‘Gentlemen, is this a free fight?’ 1873 22 Jan. 8/2 There are to be five speakers appointed by previous arrangement, after which there will be a free debate. 1887 4 June 759/2 English riots are mere freefights, begun without special premeditation. 1950 N. Coward 7 July (2000) 151 I stood still and waited while a free fight broke out in the gallery. It was very unpleasant and excessively silly. 1992 (Nexis) 16 Nov. 20 She gave up her life of parties after she became the centre of a free fight at a party given by David Tennant. 2006 (Nexis) 15 Sept. 21 Chant..was the top-ranked two-year-old filly on last season's free handicaps. the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > vowel > [adjective] > types of 1864 G. Vasey 57 When the Vowels are pronounced with the Consonant which immediately precedes them..they are pronounced exactly like their Alphabetic Names—a e i o u—and are then called Long or Free Vowels. 1895 10 306 (heading) ‘Free’ and ‘checked’ vowels in Gallic Popular Latin. 1946 R. C. Priebsch & W. E. Collinson (ed. 2) i. iii. 76 Vowels in absolute final position (‘free’ vowels). 1962 37 164 In Table 1, the checked vowels..are paired with the free vowels which are phonetically most similar to them. 1997 R. Posner vi. 251 It is possible..that French u was originally diphthongal (initially in tonic free syllables but later spreading to pretonic and to blocked tonic syllables?). the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > morphology > morpheme > [adjective] > of morphemes: free 1926 L. Bloomfield in 2 155 A form which may be an utterance is free. A form which is not free is bound. Thus, book, the man are free forms; —ing.., —er..are bound forms. 1957 S. Potter iv. 78 Book-s..consists of two morphemes, the free form book and the bound form -s (bound because it cannot be used independently). 1996 Jan. 36/2 Case, tense or aspect marking is usually not inflectional; these concepts are commonly expressed by free morphemes such as ben, sa/o, (d)e or zero. 11. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > liberation > set free [verb (intransitive)] > escape from restraint the world > movement > motion in specific manner > [adjective] > moving easily or freely 1590 E. Spenser i. i. sig. A5v And knitting all his force got one hand free. a1622 H. Ainsworth (1627) 71/1 He [sc. a leper] makes his head free, and rends his clothes. 1667 J. Milton vii. 464 Now half appeer'd The Tawnie Lion, pawing to get free His hinder parts. View more context for this quotation 1753 S. Richardson I. xxxiii. 228 At one place on the road, just after I had screamed, and made another effort to get my hands free, I heard voices. a1797 M. Wollstonecraft (1798) I. ii. 35 Were his hands free, he looks as if he could soon manage both his guards: yet he appears tranquil. 1843 J. F. Cooper xiii. 157 I found that one of the negroes had, indeed, disappeared. How this happened I cannot say, as he appeared to be well lashed; but I suppose he worked himself free. 1862 H. Spencer ii. xi. §93. 313 The pennant of a vessel lying becalmed first shows the coming breeze..by gentle undulations that travel from its fixed to its free end. 1878 E. Prout in G. Grove I. 40 The discovery of the free reed. 1895 J. Conrad i. 9 The tree swung..round and soon getting free of the obstruction began to move. 1919 L. H. Morrison xii. 201 Light steel strips restrained at the ends and free to lift from the seat to allow the air to pass. 1937 A. J. Cronin ii. xi. 190 The whole of Bevan's body was free except his left forearm which lay beneath the fall. 1973 S. Lanier vii. 158 He had no time to raise the dropped leeboard, but he managed to loosen it so that it at least swung free on its pintle. 1995 C. B. Divakaruni (1997) 51 But Aunt holds tight to my arm. ‘No, Jayanti, no.’ I try to pull free but she is surprisingly strong. 2003 M. Ali xiii. 229 She pulled the free end of the sari over her face and moved her neck from side to side. the world > matter > chemistry > atomic chemistry > [adjective] > relating to electrons > specific the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > particle physics > particle avoiding strong interaction > electron > [adjective] > of electron: able to move unrestrictedly 1895 (Royal Soc.) A. 185 813 These free electrons can be projected by their mutual actions, with velocities which are a considerable fraction of that of radiation. 1907 N. R. Campbell iii. 70 These ‘bound’ electrons, as they may be called in distinction to the ‘free’ electrons which are subject to no restraining force, take no part in electrostatic actions. 1917 3 167 The mean life of an electron in the free state, being terminated only by collision with an ion, is proportional to (T ÷ c) ÷ n. 1959 V. 127/2 The electron theory of metals..ascribes their conductivity to the presence of free electrons. 1965 J. R. Dyer iv. 75 The electronic distributions in the hydrogen atom, hydride ion, and free proton are spherically symmetrical. 1970 19 Dec. 1144/1 A free photon cannot interact with a free electron without violating the conservation of energy. 2006 24 Mar. 1689/2 The polarization arose when photons in the big bang afterglow collided with free electrons whizzing through the youthful universe. 12. the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or detachment > [adjective] 1720 N. Dubois & G. Leoni tr. A. Palladio IV. iv. 10 This defect may be remedy'd, by making over the Architraves..arches that will bear the weight, and leave the architraves free. 1830 R. Knox tr. P. A. Béclard 374 At the free surface of the mucous membrane. 1872 T. H. Huxley (ed. 6) v. 131 The neck by which a gland communicates with the free surface is called its duct. 1922 T. M. Lowry i. 2 A liquid which does not fill the containing vessel therefore exposes a ‘free surface’ to the vapour, whereas the surface of a gas always coincides with that of the vessel in which it is confined. 1952 21 27 We possess..entire and fragmentary free and wall architraves. 1990 P. Kearey & F. J. Vine ii. 8 Seismic waves whose travel paths are restricted to the vicinity of a free surface, such as the Earth's surface, are known as surface waves. the world > plants > part of plant > growth, movement, or curvature of parts > [adjective] > cohering or not cohering 1757 J. Hill vi. 66/2 He will perceive on nearer Examination, that the Antheræ, or Buttons, do not tremble on their Filaments, as in most Flowers, detached and free; but that they unite together, and form a Cylindrick Body. 1793 J. Leslie tr. Comte de Buffon IX. 342 The fourth toe, though free and not attached to the membrane, is turned more before than behind. 1870 J. D. Hooker 105 Carpels 1 or more, free or connate. 1914 8 5 Flagellum [of a trypanosome]..may project beyond the undulating membrane, when it is called a free flagellum. 1962 D. C. Braungart & R. H. Arnett xiv. 224 Fusion of one type of flower part with another, for example, stamens fused to petals, is more advanced than those with free stamens, etc. 2001 G. W. Rouse & F. Pleijel li. 202/2 The palps can be free from each other or fused together by the cuticle. the world > matter > chemistry > chemical properties > [adjective] > of or relating to miscellaneous other properties 1783 (Royal Soc.) 73 54 The silver will be precipitated by the marine acid of the common salt, and not by the free alkali contained in the liquor. 1796 S. Dickson iv. 182 The acid of which we are treating abounds in the salt contained in the sea, and probably even exists, in a free state, on some parts of the surface of the ocean. 1800 tr. E. J. B. Bouillon-Lagrange I. 244 The nitric acid remains free in the liquor. 1851 W. B. Carpenter (ed. 2) 51 By the decomposition of the carbonic acid, oxygen is set free. 1862 D. T. Ansted & R. G. Latham iv. xx. 464 A silicate of alumina, with some free silica, and a trace of iron. 1929 23 5159 It is concluded..that the reactive substance in all these expts. is free methyl. 1937 July 199/2 With hydrogen atoms attached to all the free bonds. 1953 R. W. Gurney iv. 64 There will be a dissociative equilibrium in the solution between the free ions and the neutral ion pairs. 1970 D. F. Shaw (ed. 2) ix. 181 We thus have a diatomic system with two valence electrons whose energy levels are slightly different from those in the free atomic state. 2006 78 6596/1 One can detect and measure the presence of a more volatile, free acid material..without competing signal from the residual salt. the world > matter > physics > energy or power of doing work > [adjective] > available for work 1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ 662 The whole power of the engine would be expended in impelling itself and the ship..and no free power would remain for freight. 1832 (Royal Soc.) 122 380 The experiment repeated, as described by Volta, he could not detect the slightest sign of free electricity. 1840 1 6 Free electricity is not under any circumstances conducted silently to the earth. 1885 H. W. Watson & S. H. Burbury I. 83 The fluid of either kind in any electrified body in excess of that of the opposite kind is called the Free Electricity of the body. the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > wind > [adjective] > favourable (of wind) > not adverse 1825 2 146 On both sides of the Gulf Stream, a counter current..is invariably met with. I have frequently, with a free wind,..succeeded in availing myself of its assistance. 1840 R. H. Dana xxv. 81 We had the wind free..sail after sail the captain piled upon her. 1880 7 Sept. She is on the wrong tack, but the last puff was free, and helped her. 1964 13 Aug. 5/2 With a free wind, Perseus was gradually increasing her lead. 1985 (Nexis) 10 Apr. The yacht shares the series lead on 51 points with Mooloolaba sloop Hot August Night, which was in a strong handicap position close behind the main bunch as they took advantage of the free winds last night. III. Characterized by willingness, readiness, or abundance in action. the mind > will > free will > [adjective] > exercising or capable of free will eOE King Ælfred tr. Boethius (Otho) xli. 142 He gesceop twa gesceadwisa gesceafta freo, englas & men; þæm he geaf micle gife freodomes þæt hi mosten don swa god swa yfel, swæðer swa hi wolden. OE Aldhelm Glosses (Brussels 1650) in L. Goossens (1974) 233 Libero arbitrio : iudicio : mid frium cyre uel freolicum. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) vii. 46 (MED) To fle the compaignie of schrewes..Which stant in disposicion Of mannes free eleccion. a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer (Hunterian) 7441 He knew nat that she was constrayned..But wende she com of wyl al free. a1450 (1969) l. 25 God hathe govym [read govyn] Man fre arbritracion Wheþer he wyl hym se[lf] saue or hys soule sp[y]ll. 1525 T. Rychard iii. sig. Kj Bestes wyche that haueth of nature Bothe wyl & nel by fre election. 1599 J. Davies 87 Will is free, and can no force abide. 1601 J. Marston et al. i. sig. Bv Nay be free my daughters in election. 1609 W. Shakespeare ii. ii. 169 To make vp a free determination Twixt right and wrong. View more context for this quotation 1649 (Cambridge Synod) 2 By this our professed consent and free concurrence. a1676 M. Hale (1677) 312 A light and clear Intellect, a free and incoacted Will. 1732 G. Berkeley II. vii. xxii. 183 A Man is said to be Free, so far forth as he can do what he will. 1782 J. Benson in J. MacDonald (1822) 134 The Author attempts to show that liberty is voluntariness... We are said to be free when we act from choice. 1800 S. T. Coleridge tr. F. Schiller iv. iv. 156 Was not the will kept free? 1869 E. A. Freeman III. xi. 6 The choice of the electors would be perfectly free. 1873 J. B. Mozley (1876) viii. 189 It is..His own free and undictated choice. 1926 B. Webb ii. 60 A device of my own for self-culture—reading the books of my free choice. 1978 M. S. Peck ii. 139 The highest forms of love are inevitably totally free choices and not acts of conformity. 2004 Dec. 26/1 Just because people had first-hand experience of Jesus, they did not automatically believe Him to be the Messiah. It was a free personal choice; no one was forced to believe. 15. the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adjective] > to do something > done willingly eOE tr. Bede (Tanner) ii. v. 112 Ond heo freo lefnesse sealdon deofolgyld to bigongenne þam folcum, þe him underþeodde wæron [L. subiectisque populis idola colendi liberam dare licentiam]. ?a1300 Dame Sirith 34 in G. H. McKnight (1913) 2 (MED) If I mai don ani þing Þat þe is lef, Þou miȝtt finden me ful fre. c1390 R. Maidstone Paraphr. Seven Penitential Psalms (Vernon) in C. Horstmann (1892) i. 15 (MED) Weore sacrifice to þi likyng, I hedde hit ȝiue wiþ herte fre. ?a1475 (1922) 45 (MED) I thank þe, lord, with hert ful fre For þis fayr frute. 1535 1 Kings x. 13 And Kynge Salomon gaue vnto ye Quene..all that she desyred and axed, besydes that which he gaue her of a frye hande. 1549 (STC 16267) Celebr. Holye Communion f. xciiv That we..maye with free heartes accomplishe those thynges, that thou wouldest haue doen. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in 121 There is no kinde of thing, which Cæsars highnesse..wil not graunt and give of his free bountie. 1611 C. Tourneur (new ed.) i. sig. B2 You neede not vrge my spirit by disgrace, T'is free enough. My Father hinders it. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 182. May it please your Honor, Lord Lucius (Out of his free loue) hath presented to you Foure Milke-white Horses, trapt in Siluer. View more context for this quotation 1619 E. M. Bolton tr. Florus 19 Tarquinius..of his owne free courage demaunding the kingdome, had it as freely graunted. a1626 F. Bacon New Atlantis in (1802) II. 132 His noble free offers left us nothing to ask. 1651 C. Cartwright i. 206 God doth justifie us (saith he) of his free~goodnes. a1706 J. Evelyn (1850) I. i. 2 An irreluctant and free assent to such truths as are the continual objects of our senses. 1798 W. Willis ii. 115 The free offer of Christ to the sinners of mankind. 1882 (new ed.) (at cited word) He made him a free offer of his services. the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adjective] > ready or prompt a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) i. 752 (MED) To love is every herte fre. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) Prol. l. 73 Is al my prechyng for to make hem free To yeuen hir pens. 1629 H. Burton xi. 167 Surely, I finde not Vega very free to explaine himselfe in this point. 1660 22 I shall be very free to open my Heart. 1699 W. Dampier i. v. 94 He was very free to talk with me, and first asked me my business thither? a1716 O. Blackall (1723) I. xxix. 276 To part with any thing in this World..and to be free to suffer any temporal Loss..rather than live in a State of strong Temptation to Sin. 1722 W. Sewel (1795) I. iii. 191 But they were not free to consent thereto. 1784 xvi. 6/2 For my own part, I will be free to confess, that, in my opinion, [etc.]. 1821 J. Clare I. 40 Mark..his generous mind; How free he is to push about his beer. 1834 A. Smart 120 His maister's free to gie his aith He didna dee a fair strae death. 1874 J. Ruskin IV. xxxvii. 4 I am free to confess I did not quite know the sort of creature I had to deal with. 1921 C. E. Mulford xiv. 179 An' I'm free to admit that I'm cussed glad to be settin' here. 1942 27 Feb. 7/5 I am free to confess that I never made a major decision without consultation with him. 1975 2 Oct. 25/2 I decided to give your system a month's test, though I am free to admit I didn't think it would change our home into a happy one. the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > temperament > [adjective] > obedient or well-trained a1470 T. Malory (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 137 They chaced so sore that they slewe hir horsis undirnethe them; and the horses were so fre that they felle downe dede. 1477 J. Paston in (2004) I. 505 It shall neuer neede to prykk nor threte a free horse. a1592 R. Greene (1599) iv. sig. G2v Horses that be free, Do need no spurs. 1645 18 Must the free horse alwayes be spurgalled, and the dull Asse favoured in his opiniatness? 1673 E. Browne 71 They [sc. Servian horses] are very free. 1783 J. O'Keeffe i. 3 Ay, Dennis, master's a free horse, but the world's a deep road, and spirit won't bring wheels thro' without the hard meat. 1823 24 June 2/7 Running a free horse off his wind, and spurring the high mettled animal till he drops and expires under the clumsy brute that has borrowed or hired the use of him. 1891 15 Feb. With a very free horse it is desirable to cautiously accustom him to the sound and feel of the whip lightly drawn across him so as not to hurt him at all. 1923 5 Apr. 5/2 Corporal has been going wonderfully well in his gallops during the last few weeks. He is a free horse and just the one to suit a boy [i.e. an apprentice]. 16. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > sincerity, freedom from deceit > [adjective] > frank, candid eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory (Hatton) (1871) xv. 89 Ðæt he wiðstande mid his spræce ðam unryhtwillendum ðe ðyses middangeardes waldað mid freore & unforwandodlicre stefne [L. uoce libera], for gescildnesse his heorde. 1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus in I. Acts iv. f. Temperyng his tale with woondrefull wysedome, in suche sorte, that neyther his free talke was to any man reprochefull, neyther of his softe and ientle speache appered any feare to bee in hym or flattery. 1597 W. Shakespeare i. i. 55 The faire reuerence of your Highnesse curbs me, From giuing reines and spurres to my free speech. View more context for this quotation 1611 C. Tourneur (new ed.) v. sig. L2 With the free voice of a departing soule, I heere protest this Gentlewoman cleare. 1625 F. Bacon (new ed.) 124 For else Counsellours will but take the Winde of him; And in stead of giuing Free Counsell, sing him a Song of Placebo. 1680 H. More 107 Their free rebukes out of the word of God being very disquieting. 1712 R. Steele No. 493. ⁋1 The Mistress and the Maid shall quarrel, and give each other very free Language. 1794 Ld. Nelson 19 Mar. in (1844) I. 375 Gave Lord Hood my free opinion that 800 troops, with 400 seamen, would take Bastia. 1826 16 Nov. It could scarcely be supposed that the free remarks that followed Mr. Owen's declaration, would fail of reaching many who had friends, sisters, or daughters at New-Harmony. 1849 T. B. Macaulay II. 66 The conversation at table was free; and the weaknesses of the prince whom the confederates hoped to manage were not spared. 1884 L. J. Jennings in I. viii. 238 Men used rather free expressions to each other..in the days of the Regency. 1925 13 Jan. 11/3 The local newspapers..have contained very free expressions of opinion concerning both Great Britain and France. 1946 87 112/1 It was added that the public has no control over the Corporation: an unusually free remark, I thought, to get by its censor. 1979 74 516 Garth's..apparent fondness for blasphemous raillery and hard drinking, and some rather free observations in his occasional verses, combined to establish his scandalous reputation. 2002 28 Feb. 32/1 Because of their free talk and virtuosi, they [sc. coffee houses] became known as ‘tattling universities’. society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > [adjective] a1731 J. Hughes tr. Claudian in (1737) 191 No free Talk, nor License of the Bowl Threw out the fervent Purpose of their Soul. 1751 S. Richardson (ed. 3) VIII. 314 Men take great advantages of even women of character, who can bear their free talk and boasts of Libertinism without resentment. 1852 W. M. Thackeray III. iii. 82 Where she..listened to much free talk. 1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in 61 Earl Limours Drank till he jested with all ease, and told Free tales. 17. the mind > possession > giving > liberal giving > [adjective] ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 292 Nam ich þunge freost. for swa me seið bi large mon. þe ne con naut edhalden. c1330 (?a1300) (1886) l. 1833 (MED) Sir king of ȝiftes fre. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 28741 (MED) Quat es þat spense mai be Nithing þar þe lauerd es fre [a1425 Galba Nithing of þat þe lord es fre]. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 14397 (MED) Þair aun lauerd..Sua fre giuer of all-kin gode. a1425 (a1325) (Galba) l. 27874 (MED) Largely do almus dede, And help þe pouer with hert fre. a1470 T. Malory (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 1054 Ever she hath bene large and fre of hir goodis to all good knyghtes. 1562 J. Heywood Of Mine Acquayntance Certaine Yong Man i. xi, in sig. Div That bench whistler..is a pinchpeny, As free of gyft, as a poore man of his eie. 1571 T. Hill xliv. f. 187v Such persons..be denoted liberall, & free of giftes. 1611 2 Chron. xxix. 31 As many as were of a free heart. View more context for this quotation 1617 W. Barksted tr. Juvenal sig. C6v Say that natures selfe with a free hand Hath gi'n them wit enough to vnderstand What's good. 1663 S. Butler i. i. 38 For Saints themselves will sometimes be Of Gifts that cost them nothing free. 1699 W. Dampier i. iv. 84 The Tonquineers in general are very free to their Visitants, treating them with the best cheer they are able to procure. 1719 D. Defoe 63 I was not very free of it [sc. biscuit], for my Store was not great. 1741 D. Garrick II. 36 When he's drunk..he's very free, and will give me any thing. 1814 M. Edgeworth I. xiii. 356 He was very free of his money, and generous to Kate at the first. 1827 J. F. Cooper I. iii. 51 Throwing a handful of small change to the seamen, he wished them a better meal, and crossed the fence... ‘The lad is free with his coppers,’ said Dick. 1871 E. A. Freeman (1876) IV. xviii. 185 Handsome in person and free of hand. 1897 2 Aug. 4/4 The youngster was free of his money and ordered drinks whenever it seemed proper. 1931 16 407 Always kind and generous and very free of his immense store of knowledge, it was indeed a privilege to have..worked under the direction of so able a Chief Chemist. 1951 J. B. Priestley ii. ii. 249 In the woman's opinion, the gentleman was a fusspot but wonderfully free with his money. 1983 P. Marshall 8 A woman with a reputation of being too free with her sexual favors. 2000 Nov. (Special Advertising section) 3/2 He helped me with my poetry and was very free with his advice. the mind > possession > giving > [adjective] > giving or given freely ?c1430 (?1383) J. Wyclif (1871) III. 312 To fynde goode prestis bi fre almes of þe peple. 1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus I. Matt. i. f. 21 The messinger of this free felicitie. 1583 W. Fulke xv. 403 The worde χάρισμα..signifieth..‘a free gift’, or a gift that is freely giuen..wherof the Prouerbe is, what is so free as gift? 1614 J. Chamberlain 12 Oct. (1939) I. 557 The ayde or free guift goes on slowly, yet with well working I thincke yt will rise to the value of a subsidie or better. 1742 June 334/1 The French Clergy have taxed themselves at 14,000,000 of Livres, by way of Free-gift to the King. 1791 May 411 Benefices are now, I might almost say never a free gift from a private patron. 1824 Ld. Byron 17 Jan. (1981) XI. 94 The Govt...have written to me for a further advance..to which I demur..having undertaken to pay the Suliotes as a free gift. 1890 A. Conan Doyle vi. 106 Not only will I clear him, Mr. Jones, but I will make you a free present of the name and description of one of the two people who were in this room last night. 1924 65 603/2 I make the advertising experts and other people concerned a free present of these suggestions. 1954 S. King-Hall & R. K. Ullmann iii. 56 The chamber thus elected accepted the charter, which once again appeared more as a free gift of the monarch than an agreement between king and people. 2000 G. Wainwright in A. Hastings et al. 60/2 Trust in baptism as the free ‘gift of God’ should overcome the fear of some pietist and liberal Protestants lest magic be involved. 18. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > [adjective] > in action, conduct, or habit c1300 St. Mary Magdalen (Laud) l. 108 in C. Horstmann (1887) 465 (MED) Þi toungue moste bien i-schaue; to speche heo is to freo. 1578 T. Tymme tr. J. Calvin 86 Being convinced..that he was too free in sinning. 1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi 147 That either too light, or too free feeding hath occasioned you this dreame. 1699 J. Stevens tr. J. de Mariana xx. v. 339 Of Body she was large and gross, somewhat free in drinking as is the Custom of her Country. 1711 J. Swift Var. Thoughts in 240 How free the Present Age is in laying Taxes on the Next. 1746 G. Berkeley ii. §9 The free use of strong fermented liquors. 1791 Jan. 26/2 Probably no divine made a freer use of the paronomasia than Dan. Featley. 1828 12 July 3/7 These circumstances..all tend to encourage a free expenditure, and so to render them less prepared by savings to meet a reduction of their income. 1858 N. Hawthorne I. 191 He is..free and careless in displaying his precious wares. 1884 4 Apr. 4/5 At the close [of the market] the tone is easy, with free sellers. 1900 W. Alexander 150 The free aspersion of a rain of gifts Priestlike Thou wavedst to and fro, O God! 1915 18 Mar. 10/4 They have been free sellers anticipating a break in prices. 1937 Oct. 193/2 The play of light and shade obtained by deep undercutting, the free use of the drill, [etc.]. 1954 W. L. Wiley iii. 29 The writers of both prose and poetry, the critics, the chroniclers and historians, and others all make free application of it [sc. the word gentilhomme]. 2001 S. G. B. Amyes ii. 32 Fleming had been surprisingly free in giving cultures of Penicillum notatum to any scientist who requested it. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > [adjective] > in action, conduct, or habit > of or with conduct a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng (Harl.) l. 1540 (MED) Sum owtȝe nat to be Of here wurdys to fre. c1400 (?c1390) (1940) l. 847 (MED) Felle face as þe fyre, & fre of hys speche. 1588 J. Aske sig. A4 I desire nothing of you for my paynes, but that you will not condemne the beginning, vntill you haue read to the ending, and then of Gods name be free with your censure. 1632 W. Lithgow iii. 92 He was so free of his stomacke to receive in strong liquor. 1653 Z. Bogan 80 Grotius, the freest man of his tongue that ever I knew. 1700 S. L. tr. C. Frick Relation Voy. in tr. C. Frick & C. Schweitzer 196 He was not free of his Discourse. 1740 H. Bracken (ed. 2) II. vi. 258 He gives us a Caution not to be too free with such Preparations. 1838 J. P. Kennedy I. iii. 41 To make the story short, Weatherby was free with his dagger, and in the street, at Doncaster,..he stabbed Alwin to the heart. 1856 G. H. Calvert Will & Way iv. ii, in 52 This, sire, is the man; and though Free with his tongue, he is an honest fool. 1907 E. Robins 47 Sophia's too free with her tongue. It's a mistake. It frightens people off. 1958 J. Kesson vii. 103 But for all that, Jimmy's a bit too free with his hands the moment he gets within an inch of a woman. 2002 (Nexis) 13 Nov. 18 One man, a professional criminal who was pretty free with his fists, wouldn't beat another prisoner because it went against his code. the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > abundance > [adjective] > liberal or unstinted in quantity 1635 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi 86 His wounded thigh by its free bleeding gave the..eye occasion to suspect [etc.]. 1707 T. Hearne Diary 21 July in (1886) II. 27 After a free glass or two he..happen'd to discourse. 1806 15 217 A free stimulus given to the absorbent system. 1834 S. Cooper (ed. 4) I. 244 The skin warm, the pulse free and forcible. 1887 S. Baring-Gould xii A monthly rose that was a free bloomer. 1899 T. C. Allbutt VIII. 821 The free bleeding will be staunched by sponge-pressure. 1903 13 Aug. 14/1 The prompt treatment and pretty free discharge of blood from the ear are good. 1970 N. Ananthanarayanan xv. 250 After many motions and free urination, Swamiji's stomach became quite empty. 2003 9 1658 While shaving, he cut his left cheek slightly, causing free bleeding. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. vi. 82 It's signe she hath beene liberall and free . View more context for this quotation 1642 8 We will not dissemble our intent, but be free and open in all. 1707 T. D'Urfey v. 80 Fidlers Wives..are ever Free and Common. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > sincerity, freedom from deceit > [adjective] the mind > emotion > pride > impudence > [adjective] 1619 P. Hannay sig. C5 Be free with him, and tell him all thy thought. 1635 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi 185 Beeing of a free nature..quite forgot all circumspection. 1668 C. Sedley iii. ii. 35 Sister, I doubt we are a little too free with Our Servants. 1693 E. Gibson Let. 30 June in H. Ellis (1843) 217 His Grace is very free and open. 1719 D. Defoe 144 I press'd him to be free and plain with me. 1775 R. B. Sheridan ii. ii Not so free, fellow! 1800 E. Hervey II. 171 Daring and free as was this young nobleman, with women whose principles were as free as his own. a1824 S. Rowson (1828) x. 135 She was a bold looking woman, of exceedingly free manners, and was said to lead a very gay life. 1852 W. M. Thackeray III. iii. x. 253 ‘We think one of us is devilishly too fond of him,’ cries out Frank Castlewood... ‘We do not say you are too free with his Majesty.’ 1888 J. Payn v ‘Do you call him forward?’.. ‘He was certainly free in his manners.’ 1917 R. Torrence 55 Ef you wan' me to he'p you den be free wif me. 1968 7 Dec. 19/6 Infinitely sensitive to the winds of change in the enclosed small-town society which her free behaviour has offended. 1990 R. Malan (1991) i. 73 Don was under a banning order, but he was so free in his talk of revolution you sometimes wondered whether he was trying to lure you out. IV. Not subject or liable, exempt; granted special rights or privileges. 21. Chiefly and now only with from or of. society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > [adjective] OE (Corpus Cambr.) xvii. 26 Þa cwæð se hælend: Hwæt þincð þe Symon? Æt hwam nimað cyningas gafol oððe toll? Of hyra bearnum, hwæder ðe of fremedum? Ða cwæþ he of fremedum. Þa cwæð he eornostlice, þa bearn synt frige. a1399 in W. G. Benham (1907) 10 Ȝyf ther be ȝovyn to a man a carte for to com yn to the toun for to takyn his charge, the owener schal payen for the godes, and the cartere fre. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 3240 (MED) O þi trout [a1400 Trin. Cambr. ooþ] þan mak i þe fre. a1500 in J. Raine (1890) 60 (MED) Alle Burgese of ye sayd Burgage schall be fre of all maner of toll of ye lord. a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun (Nero) v. l. 1409 Off þar det he maid þaim fre. 1563 (1891) II. 29 That mistres Margarete Handcoke..shalbe free of all..taxis,..during her widuede and living sole. 1600 T. Nashe sig. Gv How to cheate and steale, And yet be free from penaltie of death. 1630 tr. G. Botero (rev. ed.) 185 He is free from all tax and imposition..all his life after. 1694 J. Locke (new ed.) ii. xxi. 145 The will free from the determination of such desires is left to the pursuit of nearer satisfactions. c1725 W. Somerville xlvii. 6 An estate,..unincumber'd left, and free from debt. 1781 p. xiv Members are free from arrests &c. for treason or felony, during the session..but this privilege..ceases, after prorogation and dissolution, till the prorogued parliament be re-assembled. 1818 W. Bray & W. Upcott in J. Evelyn I. 198 My Matricula contained a clause, that I, my goods, servants, and messengers, should be free from all toll and reprises. 1849 T. B. Macaulay II. 7 That the Roman Catholic, where the interests of his religion were concerned, thought himself free from all the ordinary rules of morality. 1860 7 120 Shooks are free of duty. 1911 14 Nov. 22/4 This inside packing, if cardboard, does not enter free of duty, but pays a special rate, generally much inferiour to the duty on the goods. 1954 N. Coward 14 Nov. (2000) 244 If I can salt away £20,000 free of tax by appearing there for three weeks in the spring, I have a strong feeling that I should do it. 1980 M. Shoard iii. x. 110 Buildings that would automatically be under control (free of compensation) if they were used by any industry other than farming and forestry. 2003 D. L. Scott (ed. 3) 277 For pollution control bonds issued before August 8, 1986, interest is free from federal taxation. OE Ælfric (Royal) (1997) iv. 215 He gewat swa freoh fram deaðes sarnysse of þisum andwerdan life. c1225 (?c1200) (Bodl.) (1940) l. 35 (MED) Free ouer alle from worldliche weanen. a1300 in C. Brown (1932) 121 (MED) Of hym nas novt byleved þet of pyne were vre. c1330 (?a1300) (1886) l. 2138 (MED) Þou preye þe king for me..Of sake he make me fre. ?c1430 J. Lydgate (Huntington) 593 O ȝe [Sir] Clerke suppose ȝe to be fre Fro my daunce. a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun (Nero) vii. l. 1542 Off al seiknes now am I fre. a1530 W. Bonde (1531) iii. f. Clxxxiiv Thou art and euer hast ben free from all malediccyon and opprobry. 1593 R. Hooker iv. ix. 186 The freer our mindes are from all distempered affections. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 266 These..Are such allow'd Infirmities, that honestie Is neuer free of. View more context for this quotation 1698 J. Fryer 35 When they feel themselves freest from Sickness. 1722 D. Defoe 151 We have Reason to be satisfied that you are Sound and free from the Visitation. 1798 J. Ferriar vi. 179 Our own writers are not free from this error. 1813 C. Lamb in Jan. 53 I am never free from those uneasy sensations. 1859 Jan. 254/2 The President apprehends that no such plan can be devised which will be free from grave objections. 1885 21 May 5/3 These Highlanders are notoriously free from pulmonary consumption. 1906 G. K. Chesterton in 24 Mar. 406/1 I should very much like..to be free from the consuming nuisance of writing this article. 1962 5 Apr. 807/2 Throughout the long coasting time, the fuel has been free of the pull of gravity. 2004 19 Sept. 42/5 Chess is a game of mistakes... No one is free from occasional boo-boos. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > independence > [adjective] > not subordinate or subject society > law > legal right > right of specific class, person, or place > [adjective] > having franchises or privileges OE tr. Bull of Pope Sergius I in W. de G. Birch (1885) I. 154 Þa þincg þe ðar synd tobrohte & togyfe[ne for] frigre are & æhte to libbenne [L. pro libera vivendi facultate conferuntur], na for luðre gelæfedne[sse]. lOE (Laud) (Peterborough interpolation) anno 675 Alswa ic beode þe Saxulf biscop þæt swa swa þu hit geornest, þæt seo mynstre beo freo, swa ic forbeode þe & ealle þe biscopas þe æfter ðe cumon..þæt ge nan onsting ne hauen of þæt mynstre buton swa micel swa þone abbot wile. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) l. 9729 (MED) Oþer he [sc. St Thomas] moste stif be, Oþer holi churche was issent þat mid riȝte was so fre. c1436 Domesday Ipswich (BL Add. 25011) in T. Twiss (1873) II. 47 (MED) Also plee of nusance of free tenement [Fr. fraunke tenement] be pletyd a fore the ballyvys of the forseyd toune. 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour (Adv.) i. 164 Or as myn eldris forouth me Held it in freyast reawte. 1535 Josh. xx. A Giue amonge you fre cities..yt they maye be fre amonge you from the avenger of bloude [amōge in text]. 1599 E. Sandys (1632) 170 The Free-Cityes..have all save some very few, enfreed themselves from the Pope. 1611 J. Speed ix. iii. 428/2 Setting to sale the free-rights of the Church. 1669 4 Tenements lands and fishings holden in frie burgage. 1697 W. Dampier xi. 317 He was a free Merchant..by that name the Dutch and English in the East Indies, distinguish those Merchant[s] who are not Servants to the Company. 1723 No. 6194/7 Elizabeth Smith..Free-Dealer. 1759 B. Martin I. 340 None having Liberty to dig, or carry Coals in the Forest but free Miners, whose Freedom is either honorary, or obtained by working at the Business for a certain Time. 1785 J. Phillips p. xii The defection of the Colonies, now the Free and United States. 1810 36 26 The rights of free warren and free chace. 1812 G. Chalmers 4 The barons, the free tenants, the free soccagers, together with the villains, and the slaves. 1843 G. P. R. James I. v. 88 No free-forester shall ever be arrested by our people, or on our land. 1883 W. S. Gresley Free Miner..a man born within the hundred of St. Briavels..who has worked a year and a day in a mine. 1903 T. C. Dawson (1906) I. 5 Every province had its own laws and customs, its jealously guarded privileges, its legislative assembly, and its free municipalities. 2006 (Nexis) 24 Sept. 17 For centuries, the right to mine in the Forest of Dean has been the preserve of the Free Miners... Only two Free Miners still mine iron in the forest. 23. Law. society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > a legal holding > [adjective] > held in freehold OE Charter: Bp. Oswald to Æðelstan (Sawyer 1305) in A. J. Robertson (1956) 66 Ic Oswald..sumne dæl landes, þæt synd iii hida æt Þorndune Æþelstane minum þegne his dæg freoh ælces weoruldcundes þeowetes geuþe. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1978) l. 8213 Ah ich habbe freo lond þat freoliche stont a mire honde. c1300 St. Edward Elder (Laud) 186 in C. Horstmann (1887) 52 An hondret hidenene of guod lond...he ȝaf..also freo in eche point ase he himsulf it heold er. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 1273 He gaf him a welle and a lond fre. c1425 in E. Edwards (1866) 67 (MED) I grawnte to Edward, my yldiste sone..all the frelond [c1425 (OE) bocland; L. libera terra] that Leof-hath hold. a1450 (1885) 318 Armig. A place here beside lorde, wolde I wedde-sette. Pilat. What title has þou þer-to? is it þyne awne free? Armig. Lorde, fre be my fredome me fallis it. 1465 Will of Nicholas Pickering in (1904) IV. 178 Other x. acres of fre londe. c1515 Ld. Berners tr. (1882–7) lxxxi. 249 Your landes oughte to be rendred to you franke and fre. 1587 in C. R. L. Fletcher (1885) I. 180 Ladyes Crofte Mr. Losse free. 1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny II. 492 She had conferred frankely vpon the people of Rome, a piece of medow ground..which was her owne Free-land. 1644 S. Rutherford xvi. 123 Allodialis, free land, except the King prove that it is bought or purchased. 1701 No. 3712/4 About 60 Acres of Meadow and Pasture Land, all Free Land. 1757 13 The want of any firm and free property among Tenants, will certainly put a Stop to Agriculture. ?1800 R. Sutton (rev. ed.) 1 Before the introduction of the feodal tenures into England,..lands and tenements were the absolute or free property of their respective owners. 1836 8 Nov. 3/5 It is true they have a freehold office, but that office is in no way connected with any annual profit derivable from free land or tenement. 1877 E. Peacock 111/1 Freeland, freehold land; as distinguished from copyhold. 1887 W. E. H. Lecky (ed. 2) VI. xxiii. 202 Whole villages which had depended on free pasture land and fuel, dwindled and perished. 1908 71 107 According to last year's figures, the total of free property was 283,000,000l. odd, and the settled property 41,500,000l. 1952 E. Bonjour et al. (1955) iii. 56 Some peasants of the village of Wolen, free men owning their own free land, sought the protection of a powerful lord called Guntramm. 1994 Sept. 86/1 This [income] belongs to the life tenant and must be shown as part of the free estate and not as settled property, which now belongs to the remainderman. the mind > possession > possessions > [adjective] > at one's own disposal 1637 S. Rutherford (1863) I. 300 I had not so much free gear when I came to Christ's camp as to buy a sword. a1713 J. Stewart (1715) 219 If there be no free Gear, Will the Heir be obliged to free the Half of the Plenishing?.. And on the other Part, it seems this Provision should be understood conditionaliter, if there be free Goods. 1808 R. Forsyth V. 144 A prohibition existed..against marriage, unless where the young couple could show they possessed L.40 Scots of free gear. 1830 23 June 1/5 Wherever the executor or administrator has free assets, he must either pay the legacy as far as his assets go, or he must show cause why he does not. 1895 5 36 The value of this property..is £1,420,613... Against this stand mortgages and debts to the amount of £1,070,935. The balance of £349,678 of net free assets is known as the ‘Common Good of the Corporation of the City of Glasgow’. 1939 G. Rosen tr. A. Rosenberg i. 21 The French peasants saw in the Emperor the protector of their free possessions, acquired during the Revolution. 1992 H. Anderson in E. McKendrick ix. 179 The trustee of a settlement..deposited some free assets very shortly before his bankruptcy. 24. society > trade and finance > charges > freedom from charge > [adjective] society > trade and finance > charges > freedom from charge > [adjective] > admitted free of charge a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 19 (MED) Crist us ȝef moni freo ȝeue. ?1418 Guildhall Let.-bk. in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt (1931) 70 (MED) He shal ordeyne and dispose hem redy shippyng in þys port, and vitaile fre toward þe costes abouesayd. 1464 in 9th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS: Pt. 1 (1883) 230/1 in (C. 3773) XXXVII. 1 Amy Blake my sustyr shall haue fre dwellyng terrme of hyr lyf in sum renter of myn. a1500 (a1400) (Adv.) (1930) l. 22 (MED) His mete was ffre to euery man. 1650 J. Taylor 13 That Horne, was Cornucopia unto mee Two dayes meat, drinke, and lodging, quarter free. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil 133 Lazy Drones, without their Share of Pain; In Winter Quarters free, devour the Gain. View more context for this quotation 1719 D. Defoe 303 You will carry me..to England Passage free. 1791 J. Long 167 He promised me a free passage to England on board his vessel. 1830 28 400 Paid..partly in victuals; and partly in free tickets. 1841 (4th Sess., 13th Parl.) 1 648/2 There would be no difficulty in giving a statement, on the authority of the Post Office, that petitions are entitled to come postage free. 1856 J. A. Froude (1858) I. i. 43 To every man..who chose to ask for it, there was free fare and free lodging. 1894 (Weekly ed.) 9 Feb. 113/2 An..applicant for a free pass over this company's lines of railway. 1925 Apr. 36/1 (advt.) I invite everyone with gray hair to send for my free trial outfit. 1946 M. Lowry Let. 30 May in (1995) I. 548 My New York agent wired me that Hitchcock offered a free trip to New York, as well as more spot cash instantly. 1967 P. G. Wodehouse ii. 39 You surprise me. A free meal, and he made no attempt to include himself in? 1985 S. Booth xvi. 149 He was talking about the proper way to give a free concert, how it might be done, with whose help. 2005 3 Mar. 58/4 Round Hay Bales for sale. Cheap. Free Delivery, Self-unloading. society > communication > broadcasting > [adjective] > type of broadcasting 1991 30 May 61/1 Conventional wisdom in Europe is that offering ‘free-to-air’ satellite TV without subscription charges..is not a formula for success. 1995 26 Apr. 21/3 Much of the programming is provided through the aggressive purchasing of film and sports rights, effectively displacing free-to-air availability by the requirement for viewers to pay. 2000 Z. Sardar 197 Star TV, a free-to-air satellite broadcast network. 25. society > law > legal right > right of specific class, person, or place > [adjective] > having franchises or privileges > admitted to privileges of a city or company a1399 in W. G. Benham (1907) 10 (MED) A man that is fre and be fela to a stranger [etc.]. c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. iv. 111 (MED) For-þy mayres..ouhten For to spure..What manere mester oþer merchaundise he vsede, Er he were vnderfonge free and felawe in ȝoure rolles. 1439 in F. B. Bickley (1900) II. 155 (MED) It is ordeyned and assented that no maner persone fro that tyme foreward holde no maner house, shoppe, nor chambre to ocupye ynne his seid Crafte vnto he be accepted free burgeys to the libertees and franchise of Bristow. 1497 (2005) VI. 513 Marchauntes and adventurers, dwellyng and being free within the Citie of London. 1553 in W. H. Turner (1880) 215 He was made fre in myne yere..Am not I also a freeman? 1587 A. Fleming et al. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1311/1 Citizen of London, and free of the clothworkers. 1612 B. Jonson i. iii. sig. C2 Free of the Grocers? View more context for this quotation 1661 S. Pepys 3 May (1970) II. 93 It was in his..thoughts to have got me made free of the towne. 1688 No. 2317/1 The Company of Free Fishermen of Your River of Thames. 1712 J. Swift 18 Sept. (1948) II. 559 It is necessary they should be made free here before they can be employd. 1766 J. Entick Surv. London in IV. 239 The shop-keepers are obliged to be free of the city. 1786 13 June 3/2 He has had them made free of the city of Carlisle. 1854 23 No person can be admitted as a Fellow of this body who is not free of the City of London. 1893 28 Feb. 8/1 The delegates were made free of the city and received by Council Bluffs citizens with enthusiastic welcome. 1906 22 Nov. 11/4 The City Chamberlain..went through the formalities necessary to make Mr. Balfour free of the City of London. 1960 C. Blagden i. 21 It cut across the tradition of the City that a freeman was entitled to practise any craft even though he were not free of the company which supervised that craft. 2002 J. Innes in N. Landau xi. 234 A period of employment which when completed qualified the apprentice to be free of the town, with the right to do business there. the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > [adjective] > allowed the use of 1604 T. Dekker & T. Middleton sig. I3v Citizens sons & heires are free of the house by their fathers copy. a1622 N. Byfield (1623) 553 He is henceforwards free of the house and presence of God: Hee may feede at his Table, and eate the food of life. 1687 J. Dryden iii. 142 He therefore makes all Birds of ev'ry Sect Free of his Farm. 1713 R. Steele in 12 May 1/2 Powel of the Bath is reconciled to me, and has made me free of his Show. 1818 J. Keats iii. 127 And I was free of haunts umbrageous. 1841 C. Dickens x. 293 Barnaby's as free of the house as any cat or dog about it. 1890 W. Booth ii. ii. 97 On entering you pay fourpence, and are free of the establishment for the night. 1919 20 May 8/6 In the forties the London schools were free of Lord's, both for practice and matches. 1972 P. O'Brian x. 294 The deep wuff-wuff of dog Fred, the mastiff, who was free of the garden and the yard by night. 1976 4 227/2 He made me free of his library so that I might copy anything I wanted. society > trade and finance > trading conditions > [adjective] > type of market 1552 King Edward VI (1966) (modernized text) 170 There shall be a free mart kept at Southampton with these liberties and customs. c1580 ( in J. D. Marwick (1869) I. 53 It is devyst..that ilk day be fre mercat day to all our souerane lordis lieges landmen that cumis to this burgh with victuallis. 1591 Charter Kilmarnock in A. McKay (1864) 301 All the tholnies, customs, privileges, and liberties, pertaining..to the free fair and free burgh. 1631 J. Weever 38 Their Free-martes, or Markets. 1685 (1820) VIII. 504 Ane free fair yearly to be holdin..at the paroch kirk of Killmanevock upon the Second Day of September called the Ruidfair. 1719 D. Defoe 294 Having gotten a good Acquaintance at Manilla, he got his Ship made a free Ship. 1753 Mar. 110/2 Free ships render the merchandize on board free. 1842 J. C. Calhoun (1874) IV. 105 The act..increased the list of free articles many-fold. 1869 11 Oct. 5/4 Another cause..which has contributed most powerfully to diminish the products of the public rents..has been the institution of the ‘free zone’ enjoyed by the frontier of Tamaulipas. 1939 11 293 Part of the burden of local levies was removed by the establishment of free fairs in a large number of towns, in some cases with the privilege of transporting products to and from the fair free of duties. 1966 25 June 1440/2 A tiny minority advocates completely free exchange markets. 2007 (Nexis) 25 Aug. The agreement signed to establish a free zone was one of the main fields of bilateral cooperation. society > occupation and work > work > [noun] > work of non-union persons 1867 5 Sept. 6/4 Not until the men formed a Union of their own on the principles of non-union..could they succeed in asserting their independence. The actual event has shown that 3,000 miners at the least wished to keep their rights of free labour. 1891 17 Jan. The refusal of Union men to work with free-labourers. 1914 24 183 Towards the end of 1912 the miners at Waihi, Auckland, came out on strike... The owners then introduced free labour; these new labourers formed a new union..and under the protection of the law ousted the old union. 1960 J. Saville in A. Briggs & J. Saville ix. 323 The strike was eventually broken by the large-scale importation of free labour under heavy police escort and protection. 1975 I. McLean v. 92 The company's general manager..introduced a large number of ‘free labourers’ or blacklegs to try to get the trains moving. 1993 25 95 The ANT and the shippers strongly lobbied the government to rescind the 1919 decrees and restore a regime of ‘free labour’ to the port. B. n.society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > [noun] > freeman or not slave eOE (Corpus Cambr. 173) iii. §2. 90 Gif ðonne se frigea ðy dæge wyrce butan his hlafordes hæse, ðolie his freotes. OE Handbk. for Use of Confessor (Corpus Cambr. 201) in (1965) 83 19 Geþengc ðu þæt þu ne scealt næfre gelice deman þam rican and þam heanan, þam freon and þam þeowan, þam ealdan and þam geongan. c1300 St. Thomas Becket (Laud) l. 279 in C. Horstmann (1887) 114 (MED) Þat word was sone wide couth a-mong þeuwe and freo. c1330 (?a1300) (1886) l. 3153 (MED) Þo folwed bond and fre. a1375 (c1350) (1867) 5514 Feiþful..to fre & to þewe. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Ellesmere) (1877) §961 Wheither thow be..gentil or thral, free or seruant. a1450 (Faust.) (1883) 1081 (MED) And alle þe reme of Englond, bounde & fre, Sayden þat he was worthy to bene a quene. 1882 June 92/1 The sealing of their children into the Christian fold by passing through its ever-open, inviting gates for their obtaining the new salvation offered freely alike to bond and free. society > society and the community > social class > nobility > [noun] > noble person or man OE (1931) 2087 Wide gesawon freora feorhbanan fuglas slitan on ecgwale. c1330 (?a1300) (1886) l. 3046 (MED) Ysonde men calleþ þat fre, Wiþ þe white hand. a1375 (c1350) (1867) 505 Whan þe fre was in þe forest founde in his denne. c1380 (1879) 3441 (MED) Þanne saide Roland to þat fry: ‘Damesele, þow spekest ful cortesly.’ c1400 (?c1380) (1920) 929 ‘Þenn fare forth,’ quod þat fre [sc. an angel]. a1500 (a1460) (1994) I. xxvi. 355 Well I wote that it was he, My Lord Iesu. He that betrayde that fre, Sore may he rew. a1549 Murning Maidin 14 in F. J. Furnivall (1871) Pref. 150 I followit on that fre, That semelie wes to se. a1586 cxxx. 73 That fre answerit with fair afeir. 3. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > [noun] > free people 1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus i. v. sig. D.viii Death beynge executed for the death of a bondman, the free myght goe in more sauftie. 1604 W. Shakespeare ii. ii. 565 Make mad the guilty, and appale the free . View more context for this quotation 1667 J. Milton v. 819 Unjust thou saist Flatly unjust, to binde with Laws the free . View more context for this quotation 1790 R. Tyler Prol. 9 The free are generous, as just. 1822 P. B. Shelley 48 Alas! for Liberty! If numbers, wealth, or unfulfilling years, Or fate, can quell the free. 1861 H. A. Jacobs xxix. 226 If time were counted by heart-throbs, the poor slaves might reckon years of suffering during that festival so joyous to the free. 1931 L. Hughes Scottsboro in 9 379 Fighters for the free. 2000 18 Sept. ii. 2/3 We began with the most ironbound of all class distinctions, between prisoners and the free. the world > the earth > named regions of earth > America > North America > [noun] > United States 1814 F. S. Key 1 O! say does that star-spangled Banner yet wave, O'er the Land of the free, and the home of the brave? 1826 S. Woodworth 122 The hero who comes..To the land he defended, the land of the free. 1839 Apr. 330 Since that time, Heaven has smiled incessantly on the land of the free. 1884 Mar. 278/1 Even in ‘the land of the free’,..there was something about her that made Bridget stammer. 1945 B. Ruml i. 3 In ordinary everyday affairs, human freedom has been taken for granted in the land of the free. 1955 W. S. Burroughs 23 Oct. (1993) 294 Really I am dubious of the Land of the Free, not over-keen to walkabout long Stateside in those great boy-less spaces. 2003 25 Oct. (Review section) 7/1 All the Koreans and some Africans..are admitted to the Land of the Free. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > Australian football > [noun] > actions or manoeuvres 1859 in G. Atkinson (1982) 197 In case of infringements, captain may claim free from where breach occurred. 1913 20 Dec. 1/2 The large number of frees, six being recorded against Kerry. 1920 20 Dec. 13/3 An effort from close to the touch-line to turn a ‘free’ to account. 1960 5 Jan. 8/5 A very dubious free to Marcellus gave them a sixer to make it 4.1 to 3.2. 2000 19 Sept. i. 45/3 The sharpshooter..pointed three frees in succession to reduce the margin to five points. society > faith > sect > Christianity > Protestantism > Presbyterianism > Presbyterian sects and groups > [noun] > Free Church society > faith > sect > Christianity > Protestantism > Presbyterianism > Presbyterian sects and groups > [noun] > Free Church > collective 1863 A. Steel 38 As independent wad ye be, Ye stars and pillars o' the Free. 1892 G. Stewart 259 It'll no be den, ‘Auld Kirkers, come ye dis wy;’ nor ‘Frees, geng ye up yonder.’ 1933 ‘L. G. Gibbon’ ii. 77 He wasn't Old Kirk and he wasn't of the Frees, he wasn't even an Episcopalian, but Salvation Army, or as near as damn it. 1995 (Nexis) 28 May 24 It just goes to show that the only thing ‘wee’ about the Frees is their tiny minds. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > swimming race > [noun] 1953 8 June 14/1 Webb swam the 50 freestyle in 24.3 and the 200 free in 2:09.4. 1985 (Nexis) 30 Nov. My strength used to be in the back stroke, now it's also in free. 1997 July 8/2 Sandy ‘Granite’ Galletly..set new figures in the 400m free at Leeds last month. 1976 29 Oct. 28/4 Spencer..made over 70 first team appearances for the Imps before moving to Millmoor on a free. 1992 (Nexis) 6 Aug. 56 It's not bad for a player we originally signed on a free transfer and to whom we almost gave a free a couple of years ago. 1999 H. Redknapp & D. McGovern (new ed.) viii. 113 I couldn't believe it when he told me Futre was available on a free. the mind > possession > giving > gift or present > [noun] > free gift society > communication > journalism > journal > newspaper > [noun] > other types of newspaper 1982 16 Sept. (Advertising section) p. vi/2 There was a time when the ‘frees’ were rubbish sheets but many of them are now providing a comprehensive news service with high editorial standards. 1988 21 Sept. 32/3 Frees are now read by 76 per cent of the population. 2000 14 Jan. 6/5 The two-edition Windsor & Slough Informer..will be the first free to cover Ascot. 2006 (Nexis) 12 Sept. 25 If afternoon frees are to succeed they will have to engage more than their morning brethren. C. adv.the world > action or operation > easiness > [adverb] > without hindrance or encumberment c1250 in (1935) 70 232 (MED) He þe blisse of paradis adam god þe ȝaf freo. c1330 (?a1300) (1886) l. 2730 Ȝif þine houndes..comen oȝain to þe fre. a1460 (Pembr. Cambr. 243) 657 (MED) Riders a fewe, and haue o foote fele, Thei spende smal, and horsmen spende fre. 1559 W. Baldwin et al. Worcester ii That truth vnshent should speake in all thinges fre. 1568 (?a1513) W. Dunbar (1998) I. 252 I gif me to the feynd all fre. 1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher ii. i. 83 I as free forgiue you As I would be forgiuen. View more context for this quotation 1681 J. Dryden 7 Achitophel..Disdain'd the Golden fruit to gather free. 1703 Moxon's Mech. Dyalling (ed. 4) in (new ed.) 321 So as the Plumb-line play free in the Groove. 1709 J. Strype ii. 61 This subsidy was extreamly free and readily granted. 1776 G. Semple 105 The Middle of the Current of the River, runs the freest. 1838 E. B. Barrett Romaunt of Page in Nov. 683/2 [The knight] smiled free at the fantasy. 1968 B. Hines 84 I kept sayin' to missen, I'll just use t'creance today to make sure, then I'll fly it free tomorrow. 1984 R. Wilder 163 I done et so free o' fish my stumick rises an' falls with the tide. society > trade and finance > charges > freedom from charge > [adverb] 1609 I. Exod. xxi. 2 If thou bye an Hebrew seruant, six yeares shal he serue thee: in the seuenth he shal goe out free gratis.] a1631 J. Donne (1635) 195 When the hope gives fuell to the fire, you sell desire. Love is not love, but given free. 1682 in J. A. Picton (1883) I. 252 Hee was admitted free gratis. 1761 J. Reed (Dublin ed.) ii. 23 Sir, I was taught to read and write free-gratis for nothing at a Charity School. 1774 in J. A. Picton (1886) II. 195 Admitted to the freedom free gratis. 1841 C. Dickens 30 June (1969) II. 317 I have declined to be brought in, free gratis for nothing and qualified to boot, for a Scotch county that's going a-begging. 1850 C. Kingsley I. ii. 32 Spittoons, as you see, perwided free gracious [sic] for nothing. 1872 22 Nov. (advt.) Kress Fever Tonic..is warranted to cure ague. Box of pills free with every bottle. 1893 E. F. Benson II. xi. 222 No charge for mixed metaphors. Supplied free, gratis, and for nothing. 1928 Oct. 165/2 Under very special conditions copies of some of the lectures are given away free to regular matriculants in the Merton Vocational Guidance Service. 1941 H. G. Wells iii. viii. 146 I was to be sent to France, free gratis and for nothing for six months. 1951 R. Campbell xi. 147 He explained that if he could make rain he would be only too glad to do it free, since his own garden needed it as badly as theirs. 1989 T. Parker xxii. 272 After he'd finished telling me which of his eight automobiles he was desperate to unload at any price,..and which was the one which was so bad he'd give it free to the first enquirer. 1992 (Nexis) 7 Apr. b2 I'll discuss in a later column how you can get terrific communications software free, gratis and for nothing. 2007 (Nexis) 16 Mar. 24 Open Europe has acquired free gratis 1.43ha from a farmer on a west coast island. 1812 12 Oct. 649/2 Both keeping up a heavy fire and steering free. 1839 F. Marryat I. xii. 289 We were going about four knots and a half free. 1883 Aug. 447/2 A boat..with ability to fetch to windward and to run free. 1932 ‘N. Shute’ ix. 180 I kept her off the wind and sailing free until I had the anchor catted and all square forward; then I came aft and luffed her for the open sea. 1960 16 372 The fore and midship centerboards are unshipped, and the stern board is used as when running free. 1999 (Nexis) 13 Jan. a9 The hellish Southern Ocean has been shredding sails for several hundred years, while also giving sailing ships and yachts an almighty surge as they run free towards the east. Phrases1603 T. Powell l. 153 As free as featherd Faulcons in the ayre. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 502 Thou shalt be as free As mountaine windes. View more context for this quotation 1631 T. Powell 166 As free as bird in ayre. 1682 M. Coppinger 72 Disdaining those Bonds that the Predicants wear, My Soul is a Monarch as free as the Air. 1712 S. Cobb ii. 15 Free as the Wind the Steeds of War unrein. 1776 H. H. Brackenridge v. ii. 25 The judgment whether as base slaves, We serve these masters, or more nobly live, Free as the breeze. c1818 Sir R. Peel in L. J. Jennings (1884) I. iv. 116 A fortnight hence I shall be free as air. 1837 M. W. Shelley II. x. 193 By this desperate act, I believed that I had severed the cords that bound me to the vilest servitude. I..felt light as air, and free as a bird. 1901 16 Jan. 10/5 He is as free as air now. 1973 J. Ludwig i. 52 You ain't with grandchildren and greatgrands to tie you down. We're free like birds. 2005 13 Mar. viii. 1/1 The newest icon in the sport of Alpine skiing grew up free as a bird. P2. to make free with. the mind > emotion > pride > impudence > treat impudently [verb (transitive)] the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > make friends with [verb (transitive)] > adopt very familiar terms with 1688 A. Behn tr. B. Le B. de Fontenelle ii. vii. 224 I say nothing of the Waggishness of the Oracles, which they sometimes delivered... And sometimes the Consulter would make free with the God. 1715 J. Addison No. 556. ¶7 I was once like to have run through the Body for making a little too free with my Betters. 1728 N. Salmon in H. Ellis (1843) (Camden) 361 The Itinerary of Antoninus I find all authors making free with, condemning it for blunders, and altering figures. 1783 II. 79 If I can infuse into Carleton's ear, that Sedly and her ladyship make too free, he may..propose setting me as a watch over his wife's conduct. 1827 B. Disraeli IV. vi. i. 4 He may with justice make free with our baggage. 1856 C. Reade II. xxx. 275 I advise you not to make so free with your servants. 1883 Nov. 92/2 Excuse my making so free, Mr. Matchin, but I once thought Sam was going to be a son-in-law of yours. 1950 R. Macaulay xxix. 209 Not that I ever thought she'd let them make free, oh, no. 1997 T. Mackintosh-Smith (1999) viii. 207 Ibn al-Mujawir says that for six months of the year the Suqutris were forced to play host to pirates, who would make free with the Suqutri girls. 1715 J. Addison No. 567. ¶4 This way of writing was first of all introduced by T—m Br—wn, of facetious Memory, who, after having gutted a Proper Name of all its intermediate Vowels, used to plant it in his Works, and make as free with it as he pleased. 1790 W. Bligh 50 They were no sooner out of my sight than they began to make free with three different kinds [of fruit],..eating without any reserve. 1869 H. B. Stowe xxvii. 341 She did not fail to make free with raisins, or citron, or whatever came to hand, in a spirit of hospitality at which Polly seriously demurred. 1906 G. W. E. Russell xxviii. 195 If he is an old soldier, he..may make free with the Duke of Wellington's dry sherry and Dugald Stewart's still drier library. 1991 L. Sante 381 American speakers..asserted their claim on the language by adding extra parts to words and making free with prefixes and suffixes. society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (transitive)] > set a ship's course > approach boldly 1792 G. Vancouver Jrnl. 30 Apr. in (1798) I. iv. 223 The weather prevented our making free with the shore. 1795 W. S. Smith Let. 4 Jan. in Ld. Russell (1964) 46 She took no notice of us, probably supposing that we were of her own nation from our making so free with the coast. 1803 Ld. Nelson 10 Aug. in VIII. 155 You are..to approach Toulon with great caution and not make too free with the entrance of the harbour. 1858 5 226 You may make free with the..shore to within half a cable's length. 1743 M. Decker 25 This Gentleman had sold a Parcel of Tobacco free on board, as the Custom is. 1772 9–12 June Sterling per chalder, free on board, for ready money only. 1873 6 Feb. American oysters..delivered free on rail. 1888 F.A.S., free alongside ship. Engages to deliver goods on the wharf without extra charge. 1930 31 July 22/2 Nutmegs unassorted..free alongside quay. 1958 7 661 Delivery is generally on f.o.b. terms or their equivalent (free on rail, free on truck, etc.). 1989 79 209/1 The values reported are FAS (free alongside ship). 1993 B. Farthing (ed. 2) iii. 19 A requirement that..all goods imported are purchased on fob (free on board) terms. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > without restraint [phrase] > one is free to do or think as one will 1813 May 370 Should you like another man's wife, have her—it's a free country, and le roi le veut, is surely enough. 1847 E. Bennett i. i. 20/2 ‘Wal,’ remarked Bernard,..‘this ere's a free country, and every body's got a right to their own opinion any how.’ 1885 ‘F. Anstey’ iv. 51 Don't talk so ridiculous! I tell you I ain't yours—it's a free country, this is! 1939 N. Streatfeild 244 Why stop with her if she was always nagging about her soul? That's what gets me. After all it's a free country. 1989 C. McIntyre in K. Harwood i. 88 ‘It's for men, Mary. You shouldn't be looking at it at all.’ ‘It's a free country.’ 2010 K. L. Seegers tr. D. Meyer viii. 66 ‘And if you wish to make personal calls, you will do it in the street…’ ‘It's a free country as far as I know.’ society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > have freedom of action [verb (intransitive)] 1838 5 Jan. 6/2 If..Lord Mulgrave had been sent out to Canada with his hands free, and with unfettered power to carry into effect his own wise and benevolent views. 1848 tr. C. F. Allen v. 43 A man, who ex gratia majorum had a free hand in almost every thing in the jurisdiction of Flensborg. 1855 xxviii. 462 But how much do you want? Don't say too much, to frighten me, nor yet too little, to restrict yourself from operating with a free hand! 1869 E. A. Freeman III. xiv. 328 Harold thus had his hands free. 1890 J. Corbett ix. 117 He was given a free hand to act against the East and West India convoys. 1937 189 35/2 Giving appointing officers a free hand in naming provisionals. 1947 R. Chandler 2 Oct. (1966) 116 It is ludicrous to suggest that any writer in Hollywood, however obstreperous, has a ‘free hand’ with a script. 1960 F. R. C. Bagley tr. B. Spuler II. 67 The campaign continued until Tokhtamysh was put to flight at the battle of the Kandurcha river... Tīmūr then had his hands free. 1989 28 June 15/3 The council..had wisely given the community group a fairly free hand in converting the building. 2002 9 Apr. 8/2 The photographer..was recruited by Luciano Benetton..in 1983 with a free hand to sell the brand. 1875 Oct. 383/1 I'm Jack Myers—free, white, and twenty-one. I can run alone, I can. I'm chief here. 1929 J. Buchan ii. xiv. 346 We're all of us free, white, twenty-one, and hairy-chested, and we know how to be kind to a pretty girl. 1945 T. Capote in May–June 36/2 Furthermore, Aunt Eunice, he is free, white and sixteen. 1952 D. L. Ames xix. 138 She's free, white and—no, I guess she's not twenty-one. 1962 M. Carleton (1963) v. 108 What could I do when she insisted?.. She was free, white and, heaven knows, well over twenty-one! 2000 4 Sept. 46/1 I am free, very white and severely over 21, and have many other views and attributes probably thought of as a bit rightist. 1937 19 Mar. 15/7 I saw dozens of our sisters having their hair done, their faces reassembled and their nails brought to a high shine—all for free. 1942 in H. Wentworth (1944) 228/1 Railroads don't haul trash for free. 1957 G. Smith 147 Back home we pay if we're ill... You don't expect to be ill for free. 1958 K. Amis xi. 133 Bowen tried to buy some drinks, conscious of having been fed and made drunk for free. 2012 (Nexis) 29 Aug. 19 The new service..will allow library members to download their favourite audiobook for free from the library's website. Compounds C1. a. Adverbial and parasynthetic. 1732 G. Berkeley I. ii. vi. 83 In this most wise and happy age of Free-thinking, Free-speaking, Free-writing, and Free-acting. 1738 S. Berington ii. i. 114 We see already, since such free-acting Systems began to prevail, what a Pass the World is come to. 1871 27 Feb. 8/3 There have been men ready to join these free-thinking, free-acting, and free-loving women. 1968 J. Haret in M. Farber (ed. 2) 21 The Philosophy of the Spirit sought to establish the validity of individual choice in terms of the absolute and to exorcise in advance the absurdity of free acting and existentialist anguish. 2001 27 368 The..individual remains a free acting agent as long as he retains..economic independence. ?1582 A. Golding tr. J. Wittewronghelus i. sig. Cv I tooke it to be a trust of Gods freebestowed mercy, offred vnto vs in Christ. 1583 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin xiii. 75 Through his owne freebestowed goodenesse. 1831 1 sig. b They shall never have religion triumph and domineer in a country, as beseemeth her high original, her native majesty, and her eternity of free-bestowed well-being. 1598 J. Marston ii. vi. sig. E8v Oh indignitie To my respectlesse free-bred poesie. 1760 G. A. Stevens II. xx. 183 I must run wild about the Forest like a free bred Buck. 1854 R. Montgomery 555 A free-born, free-bred spirit, bright and brave, Who loved the mountains and the sea adored. 1987 E. W. Burr vi. 33/1 The Society Finch is possibly a free-bred blend of several mannikin species. 2005 11 596/1 The availability of natural antioxidants in the food of the animals and birds when free bred, inhibits the destructive effects of the active oxygen and free radicals. 1785 J. Watt in J. Tann (1981) 94 If scotch or free burning coals the consumption would probably be from 140 to 160 pounds. 1890 June 21 7/4 The vessel will be provided with the best free burning coal. 1924 A. J. Allmand & H. J. T. Ellingham (ed. 2) xxiii. 594 Furnaces with free-burning arcs operate with solid charges more quietly and regularly than do direct arc furnaces. 2006 (Nexis) 1 May 6 Rain..slowed a free-burning bushfire advancing towards a pocket of houses. c1475 (c1445) R. Pecock (1921) 13 (MED) And for þese ij powers, a mannys soule is a resonable and a fre chesing soule. 1870 Mar. 217/2 It is impossible to create a free-choosing majority through parties. 2003 J. Milbank ix. 173 This is essentially to substitute free-choosing cultures for free-choosing individuals. 1901 8 Oct. 7/6 The proportion of..the coarser free draining particles [of the soil] increases. 1954 R. H. Cochrane (ed. 2) 2 Gravitational water moving downward by its own weight will have passage to a free-draining subsoil. 2004 Oct. (Delia's Kitchen Garden Suppl.) 13/2 Use a free-draining compost. a1894 R. B. W. Noel (1902) 491 Free-floater of toy navies of light ditty Was he. 1969 2 304 Among those who are uncertain of their own ability to navigate as ‘free-floaters’, there is a marked tendency to convert analytic categories into norms. 2007 D. A. Weintraub 225 Planets (single planetary bodies in orbit around a star or double-star system), planetary-scale satellites,..[and] unbound planets (i.e., free-floaters). 1757 J. Hill 402 The Seedlings, when brought to this State of free Flowering, are to be treated as other old Roots.] 1812 A. H. Haworth 271 This also, if properly grown, is a very beautiful and free-flowering species. 1919 R. A. Moore & C. P. Halligan ii. xx. 408 These vines..are vigorous, hardy, and very free flowering. 2002 May 51/2 A free-flowering hybrid tea rose with pinkish-apricot flowers.., it is still available today. 1658 S. Slater (single sheet) We, New Monuments, 'mongst the Old shal enter In doleful March, slowly to solemnize Our bounden Loyaltie in free-flowing eyes. 1735 T. Morgan xvi. 354 In order to keep up a pretty free flowing Sweat for three or four Hours. 1875 XIV. 183/2 With the development of the renaissance of art, free flowing patterns and figure subjects were introduced. 1971 B. Sidran iv. 90 In the midst of an increasingly complex environment, the black musician turned to the free-flowing oral modes. 2005 Winter 4/1 Digging up a tar sand in Canada with a shovel is not the same as producing oil from a free-flowing Middle East well. 1868 26 Dec. 790/1 You have no pleasure in the free-flying creatures which you cannot make your own, and you don't like them imprisoned either. 1961 D. A. Bannerman X. 290 Only three chicks were reared to the free-flying stage. 2002 56 2417/1 I exposed each plant to a single visit by a free-flying bee. 1604 W. Shakespeare iii. iii. 26 For we will fetters put about this feare Which now goes too free-footed . View more context for this quotation 1873 L. Wallace iii. ii. 169 How he longed once more to go down the shaded vales free-footed and fearless, stalking deer or following his ocelot. 1987 4 Jan. h2/4 A lot of them [sc. hobos] carried their tools with them. They just loved the idea of being a free-footed spirit. 1681 C. Cotton 28 In these free-franchis'd, subterranean Caves. 1919 Sept. 683/2 Yes, the pigs, the horses, and the chickens of our great Country receive far more attention than our free-franchised, supreme and all-important citizens. 1848 J. C. Hare & A. W. Hare 2nd Ser. (ed. 2) 87 The sayings of the free-garmented folks in Julius Cesar could not have come from the close-buttoned generation in Othello. a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer (Hunterian) (1891) l. 2379 But, in love, fre yeven thing Requyrith a gret guerdonyng. a1649 W. Drummond (1656) 115 Thou didst lament and pitty humane Race, Bestowing on us of thy free-given Grace. 1747 J. Eaton 43 The Spirit may also convince us of free given righteousness. 1849 Sept. 254/1 What substitute will he suggest in the government of a nation for this amount of free-given, unpurchaseable devotion? 2007 (Nexis) 29 May 16 Does ‘free given’ consent amount to consent given ‘voluntarily’? 1722 R. Bradley II. 281 The free growing Trees are always healthful, but those that undergo the Severity of pruning, either languish, or shoot to no purpose. 1824 J. C. Loudon (ed. 2) ii. iv. 396 The species of stocks for fruit-trees are divided into what are called free-growing and dwarfing stocks. 1902 1 Apr. 2/1 The free-growing heralds of spring [sc. daffodils]. 2003 133 1196/1 Leaves..were collected twice a week from a free-growing aspen. 1862 F. Hall tr. N. N. Gore 157 The sanctimonious vocabulary of free-handlers and secularists. 1868 21 Sept. 10/6 The attempt in 1863 to root out..all free-handlers of religious topics. 1860 To Rdr. The advantage derivable to the cause of religious and moral truth, from a free handling, in a becoming spirit, of subjects peculiarly liable to suffer by the repetition of conventional language, and from traditional methods of treatment. 1861 May 43/1 The fact..could hardly fail to..cause great doubts as to the safety and wisdom of the ‘free handling’ which the volume [sc. Essays and Reviews] recommends and exemplifies. 1875 E. White (1878) ii. xii. 144 If you will but nullify by criticism and free-handling the truth on Atonement. 1850 Nov. 410 Two very plain and free hanging lips. 1928 J. F. Dashiell iv. 58 (caption) The middle finger in a stirrup pulls against a free-hanging weight. 2002 Mar. 102/1 Free-hanging rope climbing situations such as crevasse self rescue. 1647 R. Stapleton tr. Juvenal 215 They'r free-mein'd, gallants, and fine gentlemen. 1597 F. Bacon f. 9 To be free minded and chearefully disposed at howers of meate, and of sleepe, and of exercise. 1638 T. Nabbes v. v. 65 His estate through the improvidence Of a free minded Father, low enough. 1710 D. Manley II. i. 29 Clodius was unthinking, free-minded, sincere, [etc.]. 1872 J. T. Trowbridge 375 Sending off her Majesty's mails, of which the cockney speaks with a tone of reverence altogether disgusting to us free-minded Yankees. 2007 (Nexis) 12 Mar. 13 Contentment..can be found by any considerate and free-minded person, religious or atheist. 1579 J. Knewstub f. 68v Out of the free mindednes of their heat [perh. read heart]. 1647 H. More ii. iii. iii. lviii Mirth, and Free-mindednesse, Simplicitie. 1897 M. C. Tyler II. xxx. 139 To subject the metropolitan race to caustic and even contemptuous handling, as a necessary condition of national free-mindedness and of bold dissent on questions of political authority and control. 2002 (Nexis) 5 July A leadership is needed that can only be provided by the reckless energy of youth and a free-mindedness unchecked by years of bad experience. 1845 Jan. 157/2 A free-mouthed, stout-hearted Tyrolese baron, standing up and speaking truth unceremoniously. 1855 W. Whitman 66 He was a goodfellow, Freemouthed, quicktempered, not badlooking, able to take his own part. 2005 5 Sept. 83/3 Meryl's pretty free-mouthed herself. We fell into a pattern of finishing each other's thoughts. 1617 T. Tuke 89 Hee is Iustification to vs, and is also in vs, as a most free mouing, and working cause. 1793 J. Bell iii. ii. 434 The weakness which is peculiar to the circular and free moving joints. 1886 20 134 It is only in its very earliest stages that the Teredo is a free moving animal. 1999 A. Walker 101/2 Invariably today, the falcon's block incorporates a free-moving ring of continuous steel to which the leash is tied. 1897 2 Aug. 6/5 It was a free scoring match throughout. 2005 13 Feb. 20/6 An award which should have been between the free-scoring Cameroonian and McCarthy. 1693 N. Luttrell Diary in (1857) III. 56 A new sect is started up here called the Freeseekers. 1646 G. Wither 14 The Common-wealth is more indangered by Mutes, then by Vowells; by Flatterers, then Free-speakers. 1695 W. Congreve Dram. Pers. sig. a4v Scandal. His Friend, a Free Speaker. 1716 J. Addison i. 10 I'm a Free-thinker, Child. Ab. I am sure you are a Free-speaker! 1890 M. De G. Verrall 464 Lucian (in his capacity of Parrhesiades the Free-speaker) is to be tried by Philosophy and a company of the true philosophers of olden times. 1978 (Nexis) 2 Dec. 11 So many of today's free-speakers, who have been publicly scribbling, marching and even exchanging ideas and addresses with foreign journalists, are young. 2016 R. Goluboff i. 37 To be a free speaker was to be potentially consitiutionally protected and politically salient. 1555 tr. P. M. Vermigli f. 13v This libertie of free speaking and confessing no christen man ought so to gyue ouer. 1621 J. Fletcher et al. iii. i. sig. E4v Why should thy words Find more restraint then thy free speaking actions. 1797 A. M. Bennett I. ii. 19 He..was a very civil free speaking man. 1881 R. G. White (1882) xxiv. 560 I was surprised at the free-thinking and the freespeaking which I met with among English clergymen. 2006 (Nexis) 24 Jan. e10 The luck of the free-speaking, longtime Liberal held out. 1887 5 June 9/4 He is a jolly..fellow, a free spender, and a man whose word is good for thousands of dollars whenever he wants to borrow. 1951 Z. N. Hurston Let. 12 Oct. in (2002) 677 You had the experience of a free-spender for a while, so you know what it feels like now. 2003 (National ed.) 1 Dec. c11/1 Hotel chains will..try to appeal to..travelers who are bargain hunters on some trips and free spenders on others. 1841 E. Forbes Introd. p. xi The Medusæ, free swimming animals of the most delicate and membranous texture. 1912 E. H. Grubb & W. S. Guilford xv. 178 This growth consists..in the formation and discharge upon the surface of the leaf of several free swimming spores, capable of infecting the plant. 2005 169 701 Some free-swimming sperm detect the presence of an egg through chemotactic signals. 1592 A. Fraunce f. 51 Neuer sad, free-tongd, free-hart, free-handed Iacchus. a1627 T. Middleton & W. Rowley (1656) iv. 52 A free tongu'd woman, And very excellent at telling secrets. 1739 R. Glover 21 In free-tongu'd senates oft with nervous laws To circumscribe, or conqu'ring to depose Their sceptred tyrants. 1953 G. J. Nathan 290 The desire of everyone to be a free-tongued critic is most fully satisfied by baseball. 2005 (Nexis) 4 May a13 There was something amusingly refreshing about the free-tongued bluntness of the Netherlands' foreign trade minister..in a city where euphemism and diplomacy rule. 1709 Ld. Shaftesbury 9 This I believe may be observ'd in the Case of many Zealots, who have taken upon 'em to answer our modern Free Writers. 1709 G. Hickes Lett. in tr. J. F. Baltus sig. A4v One of the greatest Latitudinarians, that this wicked age of free-thinkers, and free-writers, and I might add of free-livers, hath any where produced. 1909 W. Sichel II. x. 240 The Habeas Corpus Act was suspended, and free-thinkers and free-writers were brought to book by ministers intent on gagging opinion. 1999 G. A. Craig vi. 119 He became increasingly convinced that, if he were ever to be secure, he must become so as a free writer. 1644 J. Milton 34 If it be desir'd to know the immediat cause of all this free writing and free speaking, there cannot be assign'd a truer then your own mild, and free, and human government. 1732 G. Berkeley I. ii. vi. 83 In this most wise and happy age of Free-thinking, Free-speaking, Free-writing, and Free-acting. 1938 Spring 149/1 Most of us agree to-day that free-thinking, free-speaking and free-writing are pretty desirable things. Yet the cinema and cinema producers continue to remain shackled and stunted because..there is someone waiting to tell them what they may or may not do. 2010 M. Morrison 55 Free writing is a form of unmediated, spontaneous composition. b. In compounds formed from collocations of the adjective by the addition of a derivational suffix. 1701 B. Keach I. ii. 82/1 Free Citizenship of Heaven, free access to God. 1852 G. Grote IX. ii. lxix. 52 To Xerxes, the conception of free-citizenship..was..incomprehensible. 1989 T. W. Benson i. 2 Then rhetoric, which had flourished in Greece and Rome as a tool of free citizenship, declined. 2010 B. Crick in B. Crick & A. Lockyer i. 17 We have fashioned..the so-called Western or, in a non-ethnic sense, European traditions—two great and civilising cultural inventions: natural science and the ideas and practices of free citizenship. 1855 4 Nov. 251/3 I believe there only is one gentleman left in our town who believes either in Urquhartism or Free Pressism. 1856 27 Oct. 9/1 This free pressism is one of our peculiarities. 1986 June 12/3 The recommendations of the report allayed those fears, but have been given short shrift by those of my media colleagues determined to hang Unesco on the scaffold of anti-free-pressism.] C2. society > education > teaching > [noun] > other methods of teaching society > education > teaching > [adjective] > other methods of teaching 1929 T. Alexander & B. Parker xviii. 316 The pupil..may select his topic from any subject in the secondary school, usually in connection with the ‘free activity group’ with which he has associated himself during his last years in school. 1939 13 231 I recall from my school-teaching days many instances of children who first came to a free-activity workshop. 1941 N. Catty ii. 34 Other periods are devoted primarily to children's individual work and free activities. 1965 W. Lamb viii. 106 ‘Free activity’ methods in the teaching of physical education give scope for much emotional and chaotic work. 2005 T. Kuffner (title) 350+ free activities for toddlers. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > [noun] society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > [noun] > scope or free opportunity a1646 W. Twisse (1653) i. i. 80 Nothing comes to passe by the free agency of any creature, but what God from all eternity, by his unchangable counsell hath determined to come to passe. 1686 H. More Let. 22 Feb. in J. Norris (1688) 208 The free Agency we are conscious to our selves of, is placed in the Soul as Volent as much as Intelligent. 1740 T. Morgan (title) Physico-theology: or, a philosophico-moral disquisition concerning human nature, free agency, moral government and divine providence. 1786 E. Burke Speech 26 Apr. in (1803) 41 620/1 The Restoration of the Mogul..to his Free Agency in the Conduct of his Affairs. 1860 E. B. Pusey 324 He so wills to be freely loved..that He does not force our free-agency. 1913 19 295 Before undue influence can be made ground for setting aside a will, it must be sufficient to destroy free agency on the part of testator. 2002 17 Feb. 42/3 Pilots make good money but lack the free agency of other professionals. society > leisure > sport > player or sportsperson > [noun] > other players society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > [noun] > one who acts freely 1649 T. Fuller 27 God..being a free Agent, he will vary the ways of his working, sometimes keeping men in the hour of temptation, sometimes from the hour of temptation. 1662 E. Stillingfleet iii. iii. §5 Considering man as a free agent. a1777 S. Foote (1778) i. 3 In spite of the frippery French Salick laws, woman is a free agent. 1815 Ld. Byron 21 Feb. (1975) IV. 70 I neither forbade nor encouraged him—but left him as I hitherto always had—a free agent. 1896 5 July 5/6 He can't join any other [club] because he is not a free agent. 1923 J. J. McGraw xxiii. 124 This made us free agents at the end of the season, giving us the right to go to another club or anywhere we pleased. 1988 13 Feb. 32/2 Dick had children and didn't particularly want more, and I felt I needed to be a free agent. 2006 (National ed.) 23 Apr. viii. 11/1 Tallon revamped the Blackhawks' roster with nine free agents. society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > [noun] > tenure by free gift of charity society > faith > worship > benefice > other financial matters > [noun] > almoign > perpetual a1325 (2011) vii. 45 On þilke sulue manere ase is igraunted þe writ of vtrum ope ani tenement, alse be freo almusse to suuche a churche, oþer to ani oþer churche, in cas þerase freo almusse of o churche is aloined into possession of anoþer churche.] 1445–6 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Feb. 1445 §20. m. 23 Thomas..gafe..to the maistur and brethern..alle the londe..to hold, to thayme..yn free, pure, and perpetuell almes. 1503–4 c. 29 Preamble To hold..of your Highnesse and of your heyres in free & perpetuall Almes. 1628 E. Coke 97 a Free almes, (which was free from any limitation of certaintie). 1726 J. Ayliffe 11 (note) Frank-Almoigne is the same which we in Latin call Libera Eleemosyna or Free Alms in English: whence that Tenure is commonly known by the name of a Tenure in Aumone or Frank-Almoigne. 1863 H. Cox i. vii. 63 William the Conqueror changed the spiritual tenure of frankalmoign or free alms..into the feudal tenure by barony. 1946 A. L. Poole i. 5 Before 1168 he had granted half one of these fees..to the Knights Templars in free alms. 2005 H. L. MacQueen in R. D. Oram 236 King Alexander received papal letters reproaching him for allowing suits about land held in free alms to come before secular tribunals. the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > sewing or ornamenting textile fabric > [noun] > sewing > equipment for > sewing-machine > parts of or attachments for the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > sewing or ornamenting textile fabric > [noun] > sewing > equipment for > sewing-machine > types of 1948 6 Oct. 18 (advt.) Just slip the sock, stocking, or sleeve over the Free Arm of your ELNA—first household sewing machine with this wonderful worksaving feature. 1967 30 Sept. 14/3 Some models..have a ‘free arm’ design which helps when doing sleeves and curves. 1984 Spring–Summer 968 3 decorative stitches..help make this 17-stitch Free-arm one of our most versatile machines. 2002 J. S. Waldman 130/2 If you have a free-arm machine, put the extension tray in place. 1906 18 Mar. 13/5 A kick which strikes the ground before being touched by the defending side is a free ball, and may be secured by any player on either side. 1932 8 June 7/7 The highest runs were 13 and 16 by Davis and 14 by Ashley. Each had a free ball before the last red was cleared, and then Ashley took the yellow, green, and brown. 1981 (Nexis) 26 Apr. 24 The referee, John Williams, did not immediately award a free ball, but did so on the Londoner's appeal. 1986 24 Mar. 61/1 Unless a player is scrambling for a free ball in that area, it is a rule violation. 2003 July 4/1 Fomm-Ward knocked in the green from a safety. Cope, snookered, potted brown as the free ball. 1966 26 Aug. 25/3 No official report was made on the nude party at Pigeon Point yesterday sponsored by the Committee for Free Beaches at San Francisco State College. 1979 (Penguin Travel Guides) 2 We've got a guide to nude beaches (they call them ‘free’ beaches nowadays). 2006 (Nexis) 7 Oct. 8 Many readers are questioning whether any genuine naturists go to Darwin's Casuarina free beach any more. 1934 3 142 Blowing vessels at the end of the blow-pipe without the aid of a mould—in other words,..free-blown glass. 1960 15 Mar. 4/4 The identical free blown technique used. 2002 G. McLaren 42 Hough is best known for free-blown bottle forms. society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > vocal music > religious or devotional > [noun] > chanted > free chant 1865 12 16/1 During the last month, published by Novello & Co...Crowdy, John.—A ‘Free Chant’ Service for Morning Prayer, in a new form, by which the inelegancies of ordinary ‘pointing’ are obviated. 1869 14 22/2 Mr. Taylor may also be acquainted with the ‘Free Chant’, which sacrifices the melodic element altogether, that it may avoid false accent and gain a variation in sentiment. 1876 J. Stainer & W. A. Barrett 178/2 Free chant is a form of recitative music for the Psalms and Canticles, in which a phrase, consisting of two chords only, is applied to each hemistich of the words. 1925 6 June 9/5 Psalm cxlv. was sung to the continuous free chant of Gibbons. 1960 Summer 69 The Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, and one or two other texts are set in canon... Others again employ free chant psalmody. 2012 B. Szczepanski 41 Most young and inexperienced monks chant this two-pitch melody throughout free chant. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > [noun] > scope or free opportunity 1467–8 V. 583/1 Fre Chace..and with all maner other Libertees and Fraunchises. 1594 R. Crompton f. 195v One claimed a free chase within the forest, for Hare, foxe, wild cat, and martrons. 1797 T. E. Tomlins I. at Chase A man may have a free chase as belonging to his manor in his own woods, as well as a warren and a park in his own grounds. 1820 J. Chitty viii. 140 A Free chase is a right to hunt and kill game over a certain district, derivable from a royal grant, or immemorial usage which supposes it. 1895 10 37 A grant of 12 Jan. 1267 mentions the earl's free chase of Wisseby and Wimburgholt. 1979 C. R. Young vii. 141 As far as the royal demesne lands that were now placed outside the forest were concerned, he [sc. Edward I] declared them covered by the restrictions of a free chace and free warren. 2004 I. D. Whyte & A. J. L. Winchester iii. 31/1 In 1293-94 the earl of Richmond claimed free chase in Arkengarthdale, Hope and Scargill. society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > cinematography > [noun] > films or the cinema > movements or genres 1956 2 Feb. 10/6 A programme under the general title of ‘Free Cinema’ will be given at the National Film Theatre on Sunday and for the following three days. 1956 1 9 The phrase ‘Free Cinema’ coined by the National Film Theatre is a happy thought, for it can be used..to cover words like ‘avant-garde’ and ‘experimental’. 1963 14 Feb. 300/1 Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, A Kind of Loving, and other products of Free Cinema are, at best, admirable documentaries. 2000 J. Caughie iv. 120 A particular tradition in documentary which stretches back through Free Cinema, Humphrey Jennings, Night Mail, to Cavalcanti. society > authority > rule or government > a or the state > [noun] > city state > types of society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > district in relation to human occupation > town as opposed to country > city > [noun] > sovereign or independent society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > district in relation to human occupation > town as opposed to country > city > [noun] > semi-autonomous 1575 T. Cooper sig. Bv For who seeth not nowe yt the empire is almost nothinge, and consisteth onely of a fewe free Cityes in Germanye? 1617 F. Moryson i. 203 City of Erfurt..is a free City, but not an imperiall City; and paies some tribute to the Bishop of Metz, and to the Saxon Duke of Wineberg. 1665 T. Manley tr. H. Grotius 265 Deventer, formerly a free City of the Anseatike League. 1849 Apr. 297 The Hanseatic League and the Free cities of Germany outstood the numberless dynasties which attempted to override them. 1919 14 Apr. 12/1 Danzig will be made a free city in a close Customs union with Poland. 1958 4 Dec. 936/1 A proposal that..the western sector [of Berlin] should be made a ‘free city’ with its own government. 1959 VI. 261 Less secure was the position of the ‘free cities’ whose autonomy was not protected by imperial privileges. Among them..were flourishing communities, such as Brunswick, Lüneburg, Magdeburg and Emden. 1695 xvii. 34 The foresaid Expense of a free Coinage, and several matters relating to the Mint were indeed settled. 1710 I. Newton Mint Rep. in (1975) V. 16 It is ordeined that considering that by the Act of Parliament 1686 anent a free coinage there is only allowed eighteen pounds Scots upon the stone weight of silver for defraying the whole charge wast expences & loss upon its coinage. 1891 23 Feb. 5/7 The popular reaction against free coinage continues, extending even to the silver-producing States. 1897 Nov. 552 Some of the countries which suspended the free coinage of silver..will take advantage of the new gold supplies for replacing some of their overvalued silver. 2006 (Nexis) 11 June vi. 13/3 Desperate for relief from creditors, they [sc. 19th-cent. farmers] demanded an expansion of the money supply through the free coinage of silver. 1772 D. Turner 10 The very reverse of this [sc. cold indifference to the cause of truth] has been experienced, in those very churches where free Communion has been indulged to the Pœdobaptists. 1847 (Baptist Chapel, St. Mary's Norwich) 18/2 The settlers did not put this place in trust for the practice of free-communion, which..violates all these principles. 1886 J. H. Blunt 65/1 Particular Baptists..are subdivided into two sections on the question of free or strict communion..the ‘strict’ or ‘close communionists’ admitting to the Lord's Supper only those who have been baptized as adults. 1910 (U.S. Bureau of Census) II. 117 To many of them the term ‘Free Baptist’ seemed more nearly descriptive and to be preferred, since they believed not only in the doctrine of free will, but also in free grace and in free communion. 2003 P. Naylor vii. 117 Free communion ‘means access for everybody, including Quakers and Papists’, for Buttfield apparently an ultimate horror. society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > soldier by type of service > [noun] > mercenary 1804 T. Johnes tr. J. Froissart III. cxviii. 531 A journey to Paris, to the king and the dukes of Berry and Burgundy,..to explain what he had done in regard to these free companions. 1819 W. Scott I. viii. 151 A knight who rode near him, the leader of a band of free companions, or Condottieri, that is, of mercenaries belonging to no particular nation, but attached for the time to any prince by whom they were paid. 1891 A. Conan Doyle in Oct. 416 His whole life was spent in raids..upon the Brabanters, late-comers, flayers, free companions [etc.]. 1939 14 427 We find Coucy now opposing, and then in alliance with the famous English free-companion, Sir John Hawkwood. 1997 J. C. Bradford 64 With the truce, these forces assumed an independent existence as ‘free companions’, held together by a blend of economic and psychological factors. society > armed hostility > warriors collectively > band of mercenaries > [noun] 1676 Earl of Monmouth & W. Brent tr. G. Gualdo Priorato x. 549 The Horse were the Regiments of St. Andrè, Bregi, and Villa Francesi, on the left hand of which stood all the Free Companies. a1725 Ld. Whitworth (1758) 102 Unregimented Soldiers and free companies in the lesser garrisons of Ingria. 1823 W. Scott I. i. 13 The brigandage of the Free Companies. 1917 E. Emerton vi. 282 He began from the first to make use of the mass of fighting material which, under the form of the ‘Free Companies’, had settled itself upon France. 2004 20 Nov. (Review section) 13/5 The inability of monarchs to control the ‘free companies’ seven centuries ago provides a warning to the Pentagon or the Ministry of Defence. 1761 10–12 Nov. The free Corps of M. de L'Abadie, which is in Garrison in our City, has just been augmented with two Squadrons of Dragoons. 1785 20 Jan. 2/1 Those persons..had offered their services to raise free corps. 1859 25 May 1/5 Garibaldi, with a free corps of 11,000 Italian volunteers, most of them soldiers of the war of 1848–'49. 1936 I. F. D. Morrow & L. M. Sieveking tr. A. Rosenberg iii. 81 A number of Free Corps..formed in Berlin..were composed almost exclusively of Majority Socialist workmen. 2002 S. Schüler-Springorum in K. Hagemann & S. Schüler-Springorum viii. 215 He had led a Free Corps in the Baltic Region after the war. society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > metal > types of metal generally > [adjective] > other types or qualities of metal 1923 4 Oct. 16/2 It is essential for a free cutting steel to have a low impact value. 1958 190 89/3 In the field of free-cutting steels, special mention is made of leaded steels as a means of improving the machinability of low-carbon, high-nickel carburizing steels. 2001 186 135/2 Wise guys will start from a piece of 1½in. dia. bright mild free-cutting steel, machining the flats afterwards. the world > movement > progressive motion > moving with current of air or water > movement in or on water > [noun] > underwater swimming > one who 1951 W. D. Chesterman Pl. xxvi. (caption) The free diver swimming in the ocean with a slow-motion cine-camera. 1963 L. Deighton xxvi. 109 A professional salvage free-diver. 1989 May 26/1 By far the largest population of commercial divers are the ama of Japan and their counterparts in other Asian countries. These divers are often women free divers who harvest certain kinds of seaweed and shellfish. 2005 17 Nov. 8 (caption) Freediver Tanya Streeter swims silently towards a humpback whale with her sleeping calf. the world > movement > progressive motion > moving with current of air or water > movement in or on water > [noun] > underwater swimming society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > water sports except racing > skin-diving > [noun] 1934 11 Oct. (cartoon caption) Here's his message! ‘Hearty going over side in free diving suit. “Tempest” moored over treasure. Do something!’] 1948 Apr. 32/1 The Kreigsmarin was feverishly financing submarine research trying to evolve free-diving equipment for military purposes. 1952 15 Sept. 4/3 The French Navy's foremost authority on free diving and underwater exploration, Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau, will lead the expedition. 1967 (‘Know the Game’ Ser.) 20/1 To penetrate sumps which are too long for ‘free diving’ (some of them more than 200 ft. in length), breathing apparatus has to be used. 2003 22 July i. 3/4 The extreme sport of freediving places enormous strain on the human body, pushing it beyond its normal limits. society > travel > air or space travel > parachuting > [noun] > a jump > free jump 1833 10 July 2/1 Such drain should always be cut 6 inches deeper than the drains running into it, that the water may have a free drop. 1870 H. F. D'Aligny et al. i. 31 To obtain a free drop of the trepan, these engineers usually employ a mechanism which opens the hooks. 1930 31 Mar. 9/5 A seagull picked up his ball and headed out to sea. Ted could have had a free drop. 1940 26 Jan. 20/2 Not until 1919 did the first successful ‘free’ drop take place. 1944 25/1 After seven free drops [the parachutist] qualifies for his parachute badge. 1992 G. M. Fraser 98 Most of the great canvas bundles fell in what was called ‘free drop’, hitting the paddy with resounding thumps and clouds of dust. 2003 (Nexis) 13 Dec. 77 Carr was allowed a very dubious free drop for a plugged ball and went on to win the hole. society > occupation and work > business affairs > a business or company > [noun] > free of state control 1814 W. Walton 350 The supreme authority ought to be enabled to apportion out..that quantum of free enterprise, whereby the interests of one portion of the community, may not be sacrificed to those of the other. 1832 A. Jackson in E. Williams (1846) II. 792 Relieved..from the fear of war and the apprehension of oppression, the free enterprise of our citizens..will work out improvements and ameliorations, which cannot fail to demonstrate, that [etc.]. 1890 A. Marshall I. i. ii. 30 The growth of free enterprise in England. 1938 3 Oct. 37/3 Management leaders representing the world's democratic countries agreed that free enterprise, not government control, is the key to better times. 1986 E. E. Scharff xiv. 238 The Journal editorial page already held a unique place in American journalism as the quintessential defender of free enterprise. 2002 A. N. Wilson i. 20 In the terms of the late twentieth and early twenty-first century, free enterprise and a belief in the market are ‘right-wing’ beliefs. society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > non-manual worker > businessman > [noun] > supporter of free or private enterprise 1918 June 387 The free enterpriser who creates wealth that would not otherwise be produced, benefits himself, but he also benefits the consuming public generally. 1943 16 Aug. Free enterprisers in this country include the big industrialists. 1967 8 June 752/1 Conservatives and free-enterprisers of every colour. 2017 C. Castiglia ii. 89 A ‘free enterpriser’ is most dangerous, for Chase, when he seems most likable, passing as ‘a builder, a large scale operator, a searcher, a killer of monsters’. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > [noun] > freedom of speech or expression ?1865 T. Scott (title) An address to the friends of free inquiry & free expression. 1917 E. C. Farnsworth 66 The Symbolist..should make and unmake words by cutting down or lengthening them, and so shall he have a new orthography, in fact—free expression. 1920 Sept. 121/1 The method of Seurat never entailed any sacrifice of free expression. 1958 4 July 14/1 First there were filmed excerpts from the studio, with its presiding talent, Lee Strasberg, analysing free expression exercises. 2003 A. Madanipour in S. Menin viii. 123 Designer as actor can be seen as an individual engaged in free expression, in creative action. 1886 F. J. Sprague 1/2 This lead is proportional to the armature-current, and is also dependent inversely to the strength of the free field. 1948 Nov. 106/1 The usual method of obtaining the sound field by the use of free-field or anechoic chambers was felt to be too expensive. 2003 E. J. Gibson & A. D. Pick 142 Sensitivity to the interaural time differences as such did not account for the age differences found in the first experiment, where the audible angle of shift in location in a free field showed a significant developmental change. society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > cinematography > a film > type of film > [noun] > other types 1958 R. Hoggart in N. Mackenzie 137 The ‘free’ films made by such men as Lindsay Anderson and Karel Reisz. 2006 (Nexis) 12 Mar. 35 The best Free films, O Dreamland..and Nice Time,..eschew voiceover. the world > animals > fish > [noun] 1602 R. Carew i. f. 31 After Shell-fish succeedeth the free-fish, so termed, because he wanteth this shelly bulwarke. 1882 F. W. P. Jago 171 Free-fish, fish so called in contra-distinction to shell-fish. 1963 R. M. Nance 79 Free fish, true fish as distinguished from shell-fish. 1919 J. Joyce Ulysses xi. [Sirens] in Aug. 45 They threw young heads back..to let freefly their laughter. 1978 (Nexis) 19 June 75 The suspension system was designed to allow the shuttle literally to free-fly in the dynamic test stand. 2002 D. B. Wallace et al. in A. Piqué & D. B. Chrisey vii. 183 The ability to free-fly the droplets of fluid over a millimeter or more allows fluids to be dispensed into wells or other substrate features. the world > food and drink > food > food otherwise characterized > [noun] > tax-free food society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > tax > taxation > [noun] > exemption from taxes > that which is exempt 1903 13 June 11/2 Mr. Gibson Bowles..declared that the Tory party was now as much committed to free trade as it was formerly to protection, and that the people must have free food. 1903 14 June 9/6 Offices had been taken..for the new organization, which is to be called ‘The Unionist Free Food League’. 1907 17 May 2/2 Thanks to the action of certain Free Traders, ‘Free Trade’ is sometimes confounded with ‘Free Food’, with which it has necessarily to do. 1991 J. D. Startt iii. 46 Opponents of Chamberlain claimed he stood for ‘dear food’ while they defended ‘free food’. 2008 F. Trentmann i. 47 The parliamentary committee endorsed cooperation with..the Unionist Free Food League. society > authority > rule or government > politics > political philosophy > specific policies or advocacy of > [noun] > other specific policies or advocacy of > supporter of 1903 15 Sept. 5/6 The free importers and free fooders want to have it both ways. 1969 J. Amery VI. cxi. 559 This amendment was not one which the ‘Free Fooders’ would be likely to oppose. 2008 F. Trentmann i. 75 ‘The combatants were the producer and the consumer’, Lord James of Hereford, a leading Unionist Free Fooder, told a demonstration in 1910. 1886 9 90 The vibrations of the surface are of exactly the same character as those of a free-free bar of length 2h. 1931 A. 133 252 In the evaluation of the opacity and absorption coeefficients we have considered only the ‘free-free’ transitions. 1989 M. Longair in P. Davies vi. 96/1 The thermal radiation (or, more precisely, the free-free emission or bremsstrahlung) of hot electrons from regions of ionised hydrogen. 2001 (Royal Soc.) A. 359 2210 Modal analysis cannot be performed experimentally for free–free structures, due to the existence of the rigid-body motion. society > trade and finance > merchandise > article(s) to be sold > [noun] > article as gratuity or sales promotion the mind > possession > giving > gift or present > [noun] > free gift society > trade and finance > charges > freedom from charge > [noun] > that which is free of charge > given to purchaser by vendor 1703 Let. from Ld. High Admiral 16 Feb. in R. D. Merriman (1961) vii. 231 Nor are you to pay any surgeon whatsoever the allowance free-gift till such time as they produce unto you certificates..that their chests are supplied with medicines as they ought to be. 1708 67 Your Clerk, or Agent, shall be impower'd to receive our Free-Gift Bills,..tho' our selves are order'd to receive the same. 1742 J. Atkins (new ed.) sig. b8 Every Surgeon..receives Wages, Free-Gift, and Two-Pences. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Queen Anne's Free Gift, a sum of money formerly granted to surgeons annually, in addition to their monthly twopences from each man. 1899 20 May 2/1 The ‘taster’, a free gift bestowed of yore in order to retain the..goodwill of regular but temporarily impecunious customers. 1909 28 July 7/6 (advt.) Make use of the Free Coupon printed here and you will receive..a free-gift parcel containing a Bottle of Guy's Tonic. 1961 R. D. Merriman vii. 220 Surgeons'..basic pay..stood at £5 a lunar month. To this must be added..the ‘free gift’, a money allowance for equipping his medicine chest. 1965 19 May 7/1 Gimmicks and the offering of free gifts to promote sales were condemned. 1990 May 81 (advt.) When you buy the Amiga 500..we will also give you some spectacular free gifts. 2004 S. Hunter (2005) ii. 30 You couldn't really buy patches around Winchester or Southampton—often you had to rely on getting one as a free gift in a special 12-inch single. the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > social intercourse or companionship > [adjective] > (of behaviour) unconstrained, free, or easy 1696 A. S. 11 Such a Horse..will be found in all his actions..sure-footed, durable, and free-going. 1823 14 Feb. 3/2 He flogged..one free going horse. 1840 T. Hood (rev. ed.) iii. viii. 243 Spoken like a generous, free-going fellow..that's what I call good action. 1906 19 Dec. A prohibitive law looks strange to these free-going people. 1925 H. G. Wells iii. ii. 301 He would probably have been a free-going easy creature, but now he had so passionate a hatred of cages that he wanted to release even canaries. 2007 June 36/1 The distance will be an easy two strides if your horse is a large, free-going type. the world > the earth > minerals > types of mineral > native elements and alloys > [noun] > native gold 1854 J. B. Trask 83 The La Fayette Hill vein..contained a large quantity of peroxide iron and free gold. 1897 ‘M. Twain’ 687 No way of getting anything out of the rock but the coarser-grained ‘free’ gold. 1995 48 309 The ‘free gold’ of the weathered zone was relatively easily extracted..by a simple process of amalgamation with mercury. 1892 3 43 The wealth that he has in house, garden, furnishings, books, etc., as well as the free goods that nature lavishes on the human family. 1924 S. N. Patten et al. 81 Free goods are those utilities which are furnished by nature without the coöperation of man. 1975 B. B. Greaves Gloss. 275/1 Water is a free good beside a lake but a valuable economic good in a dry desert area. 2001 A. Blair & D. Hitchcock iii. 71 Firms have been able to regard the air, rivers, wildscapes and oceans as free goods. the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > nature or attributes of God > [noun] > graciousness or grace 1603 J. Davies 172 For this, his loue requitlesse doth approue; He gaue her beeing, meerely of free grace. 1651 C. Cartwright i. 108 How many, O Lord, doe with Pelagius fight for Free-will against Thy Free-grace? 1729 J. Atkinson 19 To mingle the law with the gospel cannot be done without eclipsing the glory of God's free-grace by which sinners are saved. 1831 July 327 The cool reasoner upon the doctrines of free grace is as much in danger as the punctilious pharisee. 1955 24 368/1 The doctrine of Free Grace stated that the Spirit of God had saved His chosen ones from unredeemed mankind without any act of faith on the part of the Saints. 2003 F. J. Bremer xiv. 276 Most of the Bay's clergymen had banded together in an attempt to write the Boston proponents of free grace out of the orthodoxy consensus. 1647 J. Saltmarsh 221 The Free-Gratian [1847 Free-Gracian]. They that have discovered up into free-grace or the mystery of salvation [etc.]. 1653 G. Baiteman (title page) In the conclusion, a word to the Free-Gracians. 1824 J. G. Gorton tr. Voltaire III. 396 Ah, supralapsarians, infralapsarians, free-gracians, sufficers, efficacians, jansenists, and molinists. 1799 H. Neuman tr. F.-A.-F. de La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt I. 237 To the best of my knowledge, none of these free grants include a transfer of the right of property. 1857 M. B. Hale 20 When free grants were no longer made, the land was sold at a very low rate. 1940 B. Howard 243 Free grants to each settler, consisting of a village allotment of a quarter-acre and a suburban allotment of twenty acres. 2004 (Nexis) 29 July b2 Males with children under 18 years of age could acquire 200 acres as a ‘free grant’ for farming. 1860 23 390 Any purchaser within any such area shall have the right of free grass over the whole of the unsold portion of the 8,000 acres. 1888 T. Roosevelt in Feb. 510/1 In our northern country we have free grass; that is, the stockmen rarely own more than small portions of the land over which their cattle range. 1950 8 Oct. 29/2 The barbed wire fence did put an end to the era of free grass and finished the old-time cowboy. 2000 (Nexis) 23 Jan. t8 In the 1870s, Anglo ranchers with large herds pushed into the Panhandle to exploit the ‘free grass’. 1789 27 Nov. 339/1 All free grown healthy plants. 1840 26 June 4/3 There were several markets where free-grown sugar met with the slave-grown sugar of the Brazils, Cuba, and Perto Rico. 1854 C. E. Stowe Introd. in H. B. Stowe I. p. xxv We must..get free-grown cotton, or slavery will not, at least for a long time to come, be abolished. 1928 Sept. 275 (caption) Free-grown, nut-bearing trees. 2007 Mar. 29/1 The import duty imposed on their now free-grown sugar was much lower than on slave-grown sugar. 1894 6 Sept. 2/1 You'll have to get in line. We can't pay it out in such a jam. One would think you fellows never had a free hand out before. 1939 28 July 4/3 Now it is necessary for these [government] departments to get a request from a newspaper before flooding it with free handouts. 1989 C. Hoch & R. A. Slayton vii. 132 They will act like bums, seeking free handouts and welfare in order to escape the burdens of work. 2013 (Nexis) 11 Apr. Instructors..will be putting people through their paces and offering free handouts about nutrition and fitness after each of the talks. the world > plants > particular plants > trees and shrubs > berry-bush or -tree > [noun] > holly bush > types of 1610 J. Guillim iii. vii. 108 There is a kinde of Holly, that is void of these Prickles..and therefore called Free-holly, which in my opinion is the best Holly. 1670 J. Evelyn (ed. 2) xxvi. 128 It is with us of two eminent kinds, the prickly, and smoother leav'd, or as some term it, the Free-holly, not unwelcome when tender, to Sheep, and other Cattel. 1883 G. F. Jackson & C. S. Burne II. 245 The good folk of Burford will use none but smooth, or as they call it ‘free’ holly, to decorate their houses at Christmas. 1795 T. Peake 131 The Plaintiff..said he need not trouble himself as the lease contained nothing but the usual and ordinary covenants, and the house was a free house. 1815 8 Dec. 4/1 No respectable publican will take a house under a brewer while there is a free house to be had. 1894 G. Moore xxx. 236 The ‘King's Head’..had..one thing in its favour—it was a free house. 1959 ‘O. Mills’ ii. 18 The notification ‘Free House’ beside the inn-sign. 2007 (Nexis) 17 Mar. 22 The Hillgrove..is a genuine free house with the luxury of stocking whichever beers it wants. 1953 W. R. Trask tr. E. Auerbach ix. 213 The last few words approach the form which German criticism has recently come to call erlebte Rede (free indirect discourse). 1998 22 Oct. 29/2 Mailer's idea was to render the language of real-life characters in the novelistic style known as free indirect discourse. 2011 L. M. White ii. 39 In free indirect discourse, Austen shows that Emma is indulging an ‘ardent wish’—that Mr. Knightley ‘remain single all his life’. society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > jazz > [noun] > types of 1941 24 Jan. 13/2 ‘Arranged’ Jazz is actually a reversion to an old, gradually outmoded European style of music, while the old free Jazz is the fresher idiom. 1960 O. Coleman (title of record) Free jazz: a collective improvisation by the Ornette Coleman double quartet. 1968 24 Feb. 6/4 The brand of music they play is closely related to ‘free jazz’ or the ‘New Thing’, as it is often called: there are no restrictions on chord structure (harmony), tone. 2001 22 Oct. i. 16/3 Despite its absorption into successful rock albums by Primal Scream and Radiohead, free jazz remains very much a minority interest. society > travel > air or space travel > parachuting > [noun] > a jump > free jump 1930 D. Verrill xi. 189 A diagram of a ‘free jump’ from a plane, in which the jumper counts five (or more) before pulling the rip-cord and releasing the parachute. 1959 22 July 4/3 Mlle. Colette Duval, mannequin, film actress and women's world record holder for a free jump by parachute. 2001 M. Verier ii. 15 The third week moved the troopers on to ‘free’ jumps in parachutes dropped from 250ft towers, with at least one of these jumps at night. society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > arrest > [noun] > custody > type of 1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine 206/2 And ii yere he was in free kepyng [Fr. en franche garde] and disputed ayenst the Iewes. society > communication > book > library or collection of books > library, place, or institution > [noun] > other types 1746 in Ld. Burghley p. ii To erect charitable free Libraries at proper Distances, for such who cannot pay their Bookseller, Landlord, Taylor, or Cook. 1850 28 Dec. A Free Library and Museum for Manchester. 1910 A. Bennett i. xii. 96 He masterfully appropriated Maggie's ticket for the Free Library, pending the preliminaries to the possession of a ticket of his own, to procure a volume on architecture. 1978 J. F. Wall x. 195 The hunger for enlightenment, for some contact..with a more urbane world, which lay behind the free library movement. 2004 6 June h7/1 Dunham..will participate in an onstage interview at the Central Library of the Philadelphia Free Library. society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > [noun] > joint tenure > by husband and wife a1325 (2011) vii. 28 Also in cas ȝif ani ȝifez tenement oþer lond in fre mariage, wch ȝift hath condicion aioined. a1475 in A. Clark (1905) i. 129 (MED) Annore, somtyme the wyf of ser hugh Mortymer..of her owne wille and of her fre mariage, yaf..all the rentis and service..with all the londes of the bondmen. a1475 in A. Clark (1906) ii. 498 Henry fitz Raaf..and Pernell and denyse..yaf & cetera, into free mariage, with Denyse ther nece, to hugh Cyndatori, a mese in horsemongerstrete. 1641 (new ed.) f. 168 Free marriage. 1839 J. Bouvier I. 430/1 It is called frank or free marriage, because the donees are liable to no service but fealty. This is now obsolete even in England. 1961 A. W. B. Simpson iii. 61 The donor might undertake to acquit the donee of liability for feudal services..and this could be effected by expressing the gift to be in frank or free marriage, instead of in marriage only. the world > the earth > minerals > ore > [adjective] > qualities 1872 18 July Numerous assays show a yield in silver of $250 to $1,100 per ton of perfectly free milling ore. 1911 3 May 24/5 The quartz is largely free-milling and the concentrates can be easily cyanided. 2011 W. L. Pohl ii. 208/1 Larger grains of free-milling gold are amenable to gravity concentration methods but fine flakes are not. 1733 P. Shaw tr. F. Bacon Sylva Sylvarum in III. 272 Which shews, by the way, that putrefied Wood yields a free Moisture. 1808 H. Davy in (Royal Soc.) 98 38 To exclude free moisture entirely, I carefully prepared ammonia in a mercurial airholder. 1859 15 Jan. 154/1 The object of this treatment is to remove the free moisture and sap. 1906 E. W. Hilgard xi. 213 By determining, first, the total moisture in the soils..then, after allowing them to becoming air-dry, determining the maximum of hygroscopic moisture they would absorb,..Loughridge found by difference the amount of free moisture, or liquid water which must be present in the soil to prevent the crops from suffering. 2000 A. Williams i. 5 Aggregate in a saturated surface-dry condition has absorbed its full complement of interior moisture without any free moisture appearing on the surface of the aggregate. 1848 ‘H. J. Mathetes’ 46 Almost all that a government can do for France, is the repeal of all the laws interfering with the free movement of industry and commerce. 1873 W. E. Gladstone Let. 3 Jan. in W. E. Gladstone & Ld. Glanville (1952) II. 370 The Chinese might have been told they had forfeited their right to restrict the free movement of foreigners by not exercising it at the proper time. 1930 12 Jan. 7/3 Mr. McReynolds saw a tendency..of legislative and other action to curb the free movement of homeseekers to the southwest. 1990 20 Dec. 2/2 Ministers..said they would finish negotiating the European Economic Area (EEA) by the middle of next year, so that common rules on free movement of capital, labour, goods and services would be in place by the start of 1993. 2014 26 Oct. g1/2 In essence, free movement of goods and capital was embraced but not free movement of people. society > law > legal right > right of specific class, person, or place > [noun] > legal condition or rights of free man > charter of freedom society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > liberation > [noun] > from slavery > freedman > documents proclaiming status of 1820 17 May He [sc. a runaway slave]..was seen near Frederick..with a lusty young black woman, who had went off with him, and who has free papers. 1881 Nov. 126/1 It was the custom in the state of Maryland to require the free colored people to have what were called free papers. 1949 4 Aug. 21/4 Ten semi-weekly free papers, with differing news and advertising, distributed in thirteen communities. 1987 15 263 Late in July 1865..a Kentucky slaveholder..complained that his slave Tom had received free papers from federal officers. 1990 Dec. 30/2 In the last edition of GS you printed a letter from Ian Dunn on the subject of the free paper ‘Action’. 2012 E. S. Wolf ii. 47 They understood free papers to be important and honored the law, but they also saw men of color as not really men. society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > parachute > [noun] > types of parachute 1920 Feb. 26 239/1 A ‘Free parachute’..is one in which there is no mechanical connection between the machine and the passenger after the latter has left it. 1942 A. M. Low iii. 39 In the ‘free’ parachute the airman pulls the rip-cord himself. 1962 P. Hill ix. 112 Late in 1928, he [sc. Roderic Hill] made his first parachute drop in a free parachute. 2006 R. Jackson iii. 29 Thoughts turned once more to a ‘free’ parachute to be released from the pack by the operator after he jumped. c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) iv. 6628 To þe ladies..þat for mercy to his grace calle, He graunted..A saufconduit and a fre pardoun. 1584 B. R. tr. Herodotus ii. f. 103 That in case the party..woulde disclose himselfe, and stande to his mercy, he [sc. the King] woulde..yeeld him free pardon. 1644 W. Prynne 4 His undemerited free Pardon. 1737 G. Smith I. 141 A free Pardon from Queen Mary, Sister to the Emperor Charles, then Stadtholderess. 1870 D. G. Rossetti 100 A decree..Whereby all banished folk might win Free pardon. 1983 K. M. MacMorran & K. J. T. Elphinstone iii. 35 Any such deposition can subsequently be reversed only by a free pardon from the Crown. 2012 W. R. Reynolds xiii. 290 The Governor wrote Marion that Pickens had suggested a free pardon so wives and children of Tories could return to their homes. society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > harmony or sounds in combination > [noun] > part in harmony or counterpoint > other parts 1782 C. Burney II. iv. 405 There are two other free parts, which come in periodically with the same notes in a kind of drone or burden. 1872 15 630/1 A melodious theme..with two variations,..these being followed by a canon in the octave with a free part for the pedals. 1913 65 The seven-part ‘Miserere Nostri’..is a canon 6 in 2 with a free part. 2003 P. Williams (ed. 2) 69 The free parts vary..while passages of even freer quaver lines grow out of the current and throw the canons into greater relief. society > authority > lack of subjection > permission > [noun] > document which permits or authorizes > ticket > for free use or admission 1653 No. 16. 214 The King of Spain and the Queen of Sweden have both desired our King by their Ministers, to grant unto the ships of their respective Subjects, a free Pass through the Sound. 1849 26 Sept. What does a free pass amount to? It costs the railroads no more to convey one hundred and one passengers than it does one hundred. 1857 2 2 The railroad company sent free passes over their whole line. 1926 S. O'Casey Plough & Stars i, in (1954) 175 D'ye think I'm goin' to give a free pass to th' young Covey to turn me whole life into a Holy Manual o' penances an' martyrdoms? 1936 11 221 The house will be papered, which means that free passes to the show will be given away. 1990 20 Mar. 20 Old folk who hold up the bus for a few minutes by asking: ‘Am I too early to use my free pass?’ 2001 31 Dec. 72/2 While the White House is willing to give a free pass to defense and homeland security, it will red-pencil other requests for stepped-up expenditures. the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > particle physics > [noun] > action of colliding > distance without collision the world > matter > physics > science of sound > sound-waves > [noun] > path followed by > without impedance 1871 J. C. Maxwell xxii. 287 We shall refer to this mutual action as an Encounter between two molecules, and we shall call the course of a molecule between one encounter and another the Free Path of the molecule. 1878 28 108 The action of the magnet is to twist the trajectory of the molecules round in a direction at an angle to their free path. 1940 J. H. Jeans v. 131 Viscosity and conduction of heat can be explained in terms of the collisions of gas molecules, and of the free paths which the molecules describe between collisions. 1947 59 536 For rooms of the usual shapes the mean free path of sound is independent of the shape. 1997 38 10/1 The inelastic free path of holes in metal is short. society > education > educational administration > school administration > [noun] > time of one lesson 1892 (Wisconsin State Board of Control) I. 131 A free period of forty-five minutes when every pupil is required to lay aside work, and to exercise. 1906 14 654 The teacher must have a free period immediately before a demonstration lecture. 1908 16 June 9/3 Nature study in all schools has been cut down from 35 minutes to 10 and 15, and a free period is given in all grades. 1965 ‘O. Mills’ xx. 196 Old Cowley knows I skive off during that free period. 2004 (Nexis) 29 Nov. 4 After lunch I have a free period and, sneaking away from pupildom, I poke my head into the staff common room. 1884 3 June 5/6 Conflagrations, free pistol firing, dagger thrusts, and other conventional realistic effects. 1893 15 Sept. 1295 I must congratulate my hon. and learned Friend on having triumphantly vindicated the right of free pistol shooting at all ages. 1925 24 May 2 s/4 Dr. I. R. Calkins..won the free pistol match, a new international competition. 1986 Aug. 52/2 Two pistols, a match air pistol and a free pistol. 2000 V. 13/2 In the Commonwealth Games in..1990, Ashok Pandit won the first gold medal for India in the free-pistol event. society > education > educational administration > school administration > [noun] > financial maintenance of child at school 1838 xii. 163 We think it desirable that a certain number of free places should be hereafter established for boarders at each model-school;—that boys should be selected for them at examination to be held for that purpose,—and that the head master should receive from the public for their board and instruction the same as he receives from the parents or friends of other children. 1865 2 Oct. 6/6 If free places were reserved in them [sc. proprietary schools] for the most promising pupils of the National Schools they might render the most effectual help to the ‘pauperes et indigentes’ of the old statutes. 1907 15 May 1054 These free places..would be for Public Elementary School children who would not be asked to compete with children outside but who would only be asked to pass a qualifying examination. 1909 28 July 5/5 The distinction between fee-paying and free-place scholars. 1977 27 144 The demand for free places expanded steadily and rapidly,..turning the free place examination into an intensely competitive scholarship examination right from the start. 2000 20 57/2 The contract specifies that the new school must provide free places for nine classes—or 450 pupils—from the school zone, and will receive the standard funding from the local bureau for these children. society > education > learning > learner > one attending school > [noun] > pupil having fees paid 1899 10 532/2 The free-placers did not require any sacrifice from the Board further than abandoning the collection of so-many school fees. 1910 6 Sept. 219/1 So large a proportion as twenty-five per cent. of ‘free-placers’, ex hypothesi boys or girls from working-class homes, in an average secondary school to which middle-class parents send their children. 1961 16 Dec. 1119/1 These ‘free-placers’ are sometimes brighter than the fee-payers. 1995 F. Inglis (1998) iii. 45 The scholarship schemes came to life all across the country, and ‘free placers’ joined the children of the local traders, farmers, small gentry and any of the manufacturing households which couldn't rise to the fees of the new public schools. the world > movement > [noun] > unimpeded movement 1891 Rep. Secretary of Interior V: Pt. i ii. 604 in (51st Congr., 1st Sess.: House of Representatives Executive Doc. 1, Pt. 5) XV A very powerful exercise of the will is demanded in calisthenics, whereas free play (not systematic games) is rest for the will. 1924 27 Jan. vi. 5/3 Periodical inspection of all lock nuts..and amount of free play in steering connections is..worth while. 1936 13 Aug. 15/2 The value of free play does not receive enough emphasis. 1993 Mar. 90/3 Typically, pedal free play can vary from 1/2 inch to 1 in. 2004 (Electronic ed.) June 69 Children learn all of their conflict resolution skills in free play. society > communication > printing > publishing > [noun] > freedom of press 1679 C. Blount Proem sig. A3 Such I take to be the consequence of a Free Press. 1795 W. Cobbett 31 A set of newspaper printers..have rendered a free press almost a public curse. 1804 30 Oct. 2/4 The exertions of a free press seem to be incompatible with the success of his [sc. Napoleon's] ambitious and criminal views. 1861 23 Nov. 532 So all the benefits of a free press, unstamped, unexcised, may be altogether thrown away. 1945 10 649/2 Their hoary principles of free assemblage, free speech, free press. 2005 5 Nov. i. 11/4 Spain..had a free press and did not censor reports of the pandemic. the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > drinking place > [noun] > tavern or public house > other types of tavern 1793 6 Sept. 1/1 (advt.) To publicans. Any Person, possessed of a free public house in good trade, within thirty miles of the town of Dovor, and is inclined to exchange the situation, may be accommodated much to their advantage. 1814 J. Campbell 3 285 In the conditions of sale this was described as ‘a free public-house’, that is to say, that the tenant was not bound by the terms of the lease to take his beer from any particular brewer. 1858 P. L. Simmonds Free public-house, one not belonging to a brewer; the landlord has therefore free liberty to brew his own beer, or purchase where he chooses. 1969 32 126 A free public-house is different from one tied as to beer. 1993 Summer 41/2 How ‘free’ is a free public house? Clearly, vertical arrangements take a variety of forms. the mind > mental capacity > psychology > developmental psychology > acquisition of knowledge > capacity for retaining experience > [noun] > act of recalling to mind 1903 G. M. Stratton x. 191 Animals and babes make use of the past but without free recall. 1921 32 378 The questions brought back more than free recall. 1973 Mar. 9 Subjects participated in a free-recall experiment. 2013 D. C. Miller xii. 309 A deficit in recognition memory as compared to free recall is a better indicator of a memory disorder. 1833 4 347 A similar explanation will apply to the case of the reed of an organ pipe, to the free reeds now so much in vogue, [etc.]. 1846 29 67 Improvements in organs, seraphines, and other ‘free reed’ instruments. 1864 C. Engel 18 Each of these tubes contains a small metallic tongue, like the so-called free-reed stops of our organ, or like our accordion. 1939 20 439 It is strange that this free-reed instrument [sc. the Chinese sheng] did not reach Europe until the close of the eighteenth century. 1962 W. L. Sumner (ed. 3) 271 Organ reed stops are of two kinds: those which have a metal tongue which vibrates inside a rectangular opening without touching its sides, and those which beat against a metal plate alternately opening and covering a hole cut therein. The former are known as free reeds. 2006 D. E. Bush & R. Kassel 210/1 Some scholars attribute the invention of free-reed organ pipes to the Italian instrument maker Filippo Testa (ca.1700). society > travel > air or space travel > space flight > [noun] > a space shot or flight > course or trajectory of spacecraft > positioning on return path using gravitation 1963 A. J. Schwaniger (NASA Techn. Note D–1833) 2 When the manned mission is to land on the moon's surface, a ‘free return’ trajectory may be used so that if unforeseen difficulties arise..the astronauts will return safely to the earth. 1970 15 Apr. 10/2 As the vehicle travelled round to the back of the moon, the effect of the lunar gravitation field was such as to swing the ship round on to a homeward trajectory. This is what the flight dynamics specialists call a free return trajectory. 2006 June 26/2 If we can't send messages to the Mars station, we won't even be able to navigate a free return trajectory. 1861 19 Jan. The Milang and Free Rifle Challenge Match comes off today at Strathalbyn. 1913 5 Apr. 24/2 His Good Friday score was well up to the 90 mark with the free rifle. 1935 3 Apr. 9/3 The ‘free rifle’ events attract few competitors from this country. 1992 21 June c6/6 Wright totaled 1180 points out of a possible 1200 in the men's free rifle prone event. 1958 10 Sept. 22/2 Charlie Summer returned..to take over the free safety position. 1982 (Nexis) 16 Oct. He's physical enough to play football, maybe as a free safety. 2006 26 May 47/1 Carter lacks the deep speed to play free safety, but he is strong in run support. 1940 6 Apr. 36/3 (advt.) Ex-Fleet Street Journalist..urgently seeks help (financial or otherwise) in starting small freesheet in promising area. 1970 13 Apr. 6/5 One challenge came from the growth of the free sheet distribution from under 1m. copies a week to over 5m. in less than 12 months. 1991 13 Mar. 23/2 They'd read all about it in their local freesheet. 2001 P. Burston ix. 123 [His] face was never missing from the pages of the gay freesheets. 1904 18 Aug. 7/1 Off side play at the opening of the third period gave Colby a free shot for the Reds. 1925 3 Sept. 6/3 This was obviously dangerous riding, and a free shot should have been given to Wroughton Hall. 1974 2 Oct. 23/2 Only the player taking the free shot is allowed in the circle and he shoots in the direction of the net when the referee gives him the signal. 2005 A. Macphail et al. in D. Penney et al. ix.125 It was a non-contact game and a free shot was awarded for deliberate contact. society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > [noun] > currency systems and policies 1877 Mar. 295 The Latin Union, finding that a free silver coinage would not only speedily deplete them of their gold, but would also [etc.].] 1889 18 Sept. 4/2 Mr. Stewart argues that ‘free silver’ would avert declining prices and prevent stagnation and hard times. 1895 6 Apr. 1 Free Silver or Ruin, Hinrichsen will force his Fiat Money campaign. 1900 ‘M. Twain’ (1910) 192 I am in favor of..the gold standard and free silver. 1995 Oct. 68/2 A hundred years ago William Jennings Bryan rallied the heartland against the eastern bankers by preaching the gospel of ‘free silver’. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > winter sports > skating > [noun] > other types of skating 1902 14 Feb. 6/3 For the afternoon was reserved the free skating, which, of course, is more attractive to watch, since each competitor introduces figures of his own and no two performances are alike. 1970 29 Jan. 54 Double and treble Axel-Paulsen Jumps are among the most difficult and spectacular manœuvres in free-skating. 1991 K. Browning 373 He recovered by doing the Lutz again in the last ten seconds of the free-skating final. 1715 tr. D. Gregory II. vi. 844 The Planets are carried by a Motion, compounded of a projectile Motion along a right line, and of Gravity towards a central Body (about which they are moved in a free space and almost void of Matter). 1800 M. Young 23 The laws of motion relate immediately to the actions of bodies in free space. 1851 M. Faraday in (Royal Soc.) 141 126 In an absolute vacuum or free space, a magnetic body tends from weaker to stronger places of magnetic action. 1917 9 167 For all three metals..the effective mass of the carrier comes out somewhat larger than the accepted value for the mass of a slow moving electron in free space. 1962 A. R. W. Hayes v. 170 In free space an applied field H oersted produces a flux density H gauss; in a magnetic medium the flux density is modified to a value B gauss. 1968 10 162 A procedure for compacting the store such that all of the free space forms a single element. 1996 H. G. Cragon iii. 182 A full discussion of the many techniques for compacting fragmented free space and de-allocated space..is outside the scope of this book. 2006 4 July 14/3 The resulting oscillation of the electrons makes them produce microwave energy which can then be used to broadcast electric signals in free space without the weakening caused by wires. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > [noun] > freedom of speech or expression 1765 9 Feb. 181/3 If he be peevish and imperious, wedded to his own Sentiments, hate free Speech, and discourage such as use it, he must expect, that his Servants will utterly neglect their Duty, when it is thus dangerous or fruitless to do it. 1847 12 Nov. The following is the political creed of the ‘Young Democracy’ of New York:..Free Trade, Free Soil, Free Labor, and Free Speech. 1859 ‘G. Eliot’ 18 Sept. (1954) III. 154 I begin to think silence the only good thing..if the inevitable result of free speech is, that we must fall..into complaint and accusation. 1910 J. Addams ix. 178 The only cure for the acts of anarchy was free speech. 1943 J. S. Huxley vii. 59 The suppression of free speech and inquiry. 2019 U. Baer iii. 76 Douglass reminds us that free speech is anchored in the inalienable rights of human freedom and equality, and not in a legal ruling. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > independence > [noun] > independent person 1534 G. Joye f. xliiiiv Nether ys the free spirit of God restrayned vnto any vtwarde sensible signe in gyuinge his gyftis. 1604 N. Breton sig. E2 Ga. All this while, I heare thee speake of no maister. Gri. Oh no Sir, for to a free spirit, there is no greater miserie then bondage. 1605 B. Jonson ii. i. 369 If he, for whome it is so strongly labour'd, Shall, out of greatnesse, and free spirit, bee Supinely negligent. 1717 S. Centlivre Ded. sig. A4 I cannot but congratulate my Country for breeding such gallant free Spirits, who..have rose up in Opposition to..Tyranny. 1746 C. Macklin iii. iii. 48 If his free Spirit hath outstept Discretion,—Impute it not to traiterous Insolence, But to a biass'd Mind in Scotland's Cause. 1835 F. W. Thomas II. xvii. 328 The horse, with a bound, broke from him, and darted away. ‘You're a free spirit!’ exclaimed Bradshaw, ‘and good luck to you!’ 1931 H. L. Mencken 14 Mar. (1989) 18 Pearl is always vacillating between being a free spirit, and being an academic big-wig. 1994 N. Parker xv. 170 His free spirit and fiery Irish temper didn't lend themselves to prison. 2002 (Nexis) 6 July 32 I'm a free spirit. I don't want to live my life in a certain way because that's what is expected of me. 1962 3 Jan. 15/6 (advt.) Free stall housing. Erect it yourself with component parts. 1986 8 167/2 Progressive farmers using free stall systems. 2004 (Nexis) 15 Sept. 77 Cows..[are] typically managed in free stalls and fed a grass and maize silage-based TMR [= total mixed ration]. the world > space > relative position > support > absence of support > [adjective] > held up without support 1837 6 May They are hereby authorized to build or cause to be built, a free standing or floating bridge, across Root River, at Racine. 1865 3 217 Free standing processus papillares, of which the author possesses only one clear example. 1876 J. Fergusson i. v. 121 A free-standing building. 1936 79 14 (caption) It shows the free-standing structural column which occurs in the hall of each flat. 1964 64 No. 8. (At Press Time section) 8 Nursing homes, homes for the aged, and free-standing clinics. 1985 11 Jan. 13/4 Freestanding art schools are becoming a rare and endangered species in this country. 1994 25 June h4/4 There's a freestanding masonry wall. 2004 H. Kennedy (2005) xv. 304 They have been unwilling to create a free-standing privacy law out of the Human Rights Act. the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > propagation of plants > [noun] > grafting > rootstock the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > propagation of plants > [noun] > grafting > plant produced by grafting 1658 J. Evelyn tr. N. de Bonnefons i. iii. 32 You should prune but little wood from trees that are graffed on the free-stock [Fr. aux Arbres sur Franc], and which do not yet produce fruit-buds. 1763 J. Wheeler at Pyrus All the sorts propagated in gardens are produced by budding, or grafting them upon stocks of their own kind; which are commonly called free-stocks. 1867 J. A. Warder 145 Dwarfing stocks are contrasted with free stocks, or those which would have attained the full size of the species, and which, when grafted, produce large trees. 1992 A. Bell tr. M. Toussaint-Samat viii. 624 In a sandy or arid soil, Free stock grows deep roots that can go down in search of water. 1667 (Royal Soc.) 2 450 I convey'd Pipes from the Emittent Calves Vein, into the Recipient Sheeps Vein, and there ran a good free stream of blood. 1890 47 129 The chief object of the paper is to give a general method for the problem of free stream lines in two-dimensional motion of liquids.] 1915 A. 92 109 The curve ACB represents the upper surface of the body... EDF represents the upper free stream, and ED′F the lower. 1956 A. A. Townsend vii. 131 The retarded flow downstream of a solid body placed in a free stream of uniform velocity. 2004 207 219/2 The flow through the flume was laminar and reached free-stream velocity within 2 cm of the bottom and sides of the flume. 1942 A. 180 484 A general equation is deduced for the free streaming of any gas in any sloping, rectangular, air-filled gallery. 1972 42 29 (title) Comments on the damping of ‘free-streaming’ waves in a plasma. 1982 D. 25 214/1 Because of neutrino free-streaming, perturbations..are damped. 2001 J. D. Barrow & P. Coles 337 In this model a process of free streaming occurs in the early Universe that erases structure on scales all the way up to the scale of a supercluster. 2003 M. Roos (ed. 3) viii. 222 At a photon's last scattering..the induced polarization remains and the subsequently free-streaming photon possesses a quadrupole moment. society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > wood > [noun] > wood without knots 1823 P. Nicholson 223 Free Stuff, that timber or stuff which is quite clean, or without knots. 1875 J. C. Douglas ii. i. 122 Clean stuff is wood without knots or sap-wood; free stuff is clean and planes without tearing. 1996 W. Bucher 101/2 Clear stuff,..wood that is clear. Also known as free stuff. society > law > administration of justice > judicial body, assembly, or court > [noun] > feudal courts > attendance at > one who 1618 J. Wilkinson 108 Then call the free suiters and dozonors one after another. a1641 J. Smyth (1883) I. 195 Which in the Court of this Lord in Radclive street shee denyed; whereupon the freesuters there gave judgment vpon his life. 1713 G. Jacob 2 This Court [sc. the court baron] cannot subsist without two Free-Suitors or customary Copyholders. 1799 619 An amercement at a court-baron on a free suitor of the manor. 1890 H. Hall (1899) i. 21 Meanwhile the seneschal had taken his seat, the free suitors ranged themselves in front of the dais, and the court was proclaimed by one of the lord's officers. 1996 R. Evans in Z. Razi & R. Smith vii. 233 At the session of 3 February 1289 another dispute over succession to a free tenement was adjourned because insufficient free suitors were present. 1920 1 175 Although some may consider that the Mexican free-tail (Nyctinomus mexicanus) spends its whole life in one locality, I believe that there is a seasonal shifting. 2000 26 Jan. 144/2 Each night at sundown, spring through fall, one-and-a-half million Mexican freetail bats swarm from under the Congress Avenue bridge [in Austin, Texas]. 1885 19 922 To the list of Kansas mammals..the survey has been able to add..the free-tailed bat, found in the northern part of the State. 1966 9 Dec. 1336/2 This fact [sc. the extension of the tail in a fossil specimen] and the apparent absence of calcars are evidence that the bat was free-tailed. 1990 D. Attenborough ii. 45 Every year, female free-tailed bats in Mexico leave their mates and fly eight hundred miles up to the southern United States. 2013 C. Arnold 54 Mexican free-tailed bats mate in the spring. 1952 6 Sept. 5 Lord Simon asks..how, if ‘commercial’, or as I would say ‘free’, television were introduced in this country, our own children could be protected. 2007 (Nexis) 23 Mar. ii. 10 Mr. Pacquiao's last two bouts have been shown on free television. 1963 L. E. Travis in P. L. Garvin 344 The language of such a system..imposes severe restriction on what reporters can report. Some of the most serious effects of this disadvantage can be alleviated by allowing reporters to enter..free-text remarks consisting of reservations and qualification. 2000 J. Aitchison et al. (ed. 4) b. 5 With the growing deployment of online information systems including the Internet using free text (that is to say the natural language of words in the titles, abstracts and full text of the documents) as a means of retrieval, the usefulness of controlled language (that is classification systems, subject headings and thesauri) has to be reassessed. 1897 17 Feb. 6/5 The Rovers were quite willing to give him a free transfer at the end of the season. 1989 (Nexis) 17 Aug. Chris O'Donnell, a free transfer from Ipswich. 2001 Aug. 34/2 Zola returns to Napoli on a free transfer. 1951 16 Sept. iii. 10/1 Professional football has been absent on free TV here..for several seasons. 2006 Sept. 12/1 The gaps between the date a film is released theatrically and the date it becomes available to buy on DVD, then rent on DVD, see on pay-TV, see on free TV. society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > types of marriage custom or practice > [noun] > cohabitation 1852 M. E. Lazarus vi. 102 Marriage is an institution rendered compulsory on both sexes by the loss of caste consequent on free unions. 1886 H. James (1998) 115 There was as little comfort for Olive as there had been on the whole alarm in the recollection of that off-hand speech of Verena's about her preference for ‘free unions’. 1978 (Nexis) 21 Sept. The classic marriage formula is challenged by seven respondents out of 10, who prefer either a free union or a totally rethought marriage. 1999 No. 63. 112 Not surprisingly this kind of writing shifted the marriage debate in the directions of sisterhood, celibacy, lesbian love and ‘free union’. 1929 38 451 If we take the proposition (x):.(Ǝy):(Ǝc).c(x,y), and remove the generalisation which affects the variable x, so that we have (Ǝy):(Ǝc).c(x,y), x will be a free variable, and the resulting function will give rise to a proposition when a value is assigned to x. 1952 J. B. Rosser & A. R. Turquette i. 3 What you called a ‘statement’ is really not a statement at all. Rather, it is a statement form or matrix implicitly containing free variables of time, place, etc., which must be bound in order to convert the matrix into a statement. 1982 W. S. Hatcher i. 23 Nevertheless, if xi has at least one free occurrence in A, we say that xi is free in A or that it is a free variable of A. 1994 S. Blackburn 270/1 An open sentence with n free variables may be thought of as an n-place predicate. the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > tensor > [noun] > vector > specific type of 1904 A. G. Webster vi. 199 Such a displacement is called a translation, and, being represented by a free vector, has three coordinates. 1964 E. Œ. Wolstenhome i. 2 When the term vector is used, it is assumed that it refers to a free vector. 2003 118 1980/2 Note that r is a free vector, i.e., it is not associated with any particular coordinate system. society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > versification > [noun] > free verse 1813 A. Davis Pref. 3 In executing this work, the plan was to give a free verse translation of the Psalms. 1886 7 68 The third and last eclogue in free verse is September. 1890 5 58 The author examines the origin and development of free verse in modern French poetry. 1914 C. Mackenzie II. iii. ix. 682 I hate Free Thought, Free Love and Free Verse. 1926 W. R. Inge 31 A cubist or a free-verse writer. 1944 W. S. Maugham v. 178 She'd got on to Carl Sandburg and was writing savagely in free verse about the misery of the poor. 2007 (Nexis) 15 Apr. f8 They explain, in 20 to 40 lines of free verse, what happened on the occasion in question. society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > poet > poet by kind of poem > [noun] > free-verser 1914 R. Frost Nov. (2014) I. 227 I see you have begun reading De la Mare. And you find him not a 'free verster'.] 1917 E. Pound 18 Apr. (1971) 109 [She] seems to think that if her Chicago widows and spinsters will only shell out she can turn her gang of free-versers into geniuses all of a onceness. 1993 V. Shetley 158 New Formalist partisans often accuse free versers of being obscure or inaccessible. society > authority > rule or government > ruler or governor > deliberative, legislative, or administrative assembly > governing or legislative body of a nation or community > procedure of parliament or national assembly > [noun] > putting to vote > free vote 1896 26 Mar. 6/2 There should be a free vote for or against the Bill, and it was in that view that he gave his cordial support to the Bill. 1931 25 Apr. 885/1 The House was accorded the opportunity of a ‘free vote’, which it gave..in favour of the Bill. 1968 17 June 8/1 I certainly think the caucus is entitled to be consulted before I commit them to anything other than a free vote. 2007 (Nexis) 19 July 1 I believe the Parliamentary Labor Party should be given the opportunity to make a decision by a free vote, without being bound by a blanket party position. 1898 (Royal. Soc.) A. 190 229 In the present complete survey of the individual atoms there is no such entity as mechanical force, any more than there is on a free vortex ring in fluid.] 1906 W. H. S. Garnett 265 Now there are two kinds of vortex: the free vortex..is the whirlpool formed by sucking rotating water towards the centre of the motion. 1969 B. H. Jennings & W. L. Rogers v. 213 In this free-vortex distribution the pressure rise in the moving row is greatest at the tip and least at the hub. 2007 36 41/1 The velocity increases again in the inner part of the vortex, due to the effect of the free vortex formed by the water outlet. society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > arrest > [noun] > custody > type of 1538 King James V Let. 8 Dec. in W. Fraser (1868) II. 126 It is oure will..that thai sall nocht eschew, nor departe furtht of, our castell of Edinburcht, as in our fre ward, vndir the pane of ten thowsand merkis. 1546 I. 36 Remane in fre waird within ony place the Eirle of Huntlie forsaid pleissis to assign. 1577 M. Hanmer tr. Evagrius Scholasticus vi. ii, in 503 He kept him onely in free ward, and enioyned him no other punishment. 1637 S. Rutherford 23 Sept. (1891) 523 My spirit also is in free ward. c1650 J. Spalding (1851) II. 91 Ye hard befoir how Johne Leith..is wardit in the tolbuith..and how he is set to frie waird. 1799 W. Scott tr. J. W. von Goethe iv. 148 Promise to allow me free ward, and I give up my sword, and am again your prisoner. 1849 H. Dixon v. 152 Neither felons nor debtors had any fixed allowance of food;..the latter had no free ward; no straw to lie on; no infirmary for the sick. 1958 W. A. Gatherer tr. G. Buchanan ii. 138 The heads of all the families..were ordered..to pass to Edinburgh castle, to remain there for a short time in free ward, on the pretext that they could not be trusted in an expedition..which their ill-will might foil. society > authority > punishment > imprisonment > prisoner > [noun] > privileged or having responsibilities 1595 G. Nicolson 8 May (P.R.O. SP 52/55/100) Atholl restes still in Cannagatte a free warder, bicause he hathe given no suertie as he offered. 1637 S. Rutherford 17 Sept. (1848) cclxvi. 526 Jesus hath a back-bond of all our temptations, that the free-warders shall come out by law and justice, in respect of the infinite and great sum that the Redeemer paid. society > computing and information technology > software > [noun] > free or for evaluation 1982 6 Dec. 2 Freeware, a software company that depends entirely on voluntary contributions for revenue.] 1983 22 Mar. 17 A number of electronic bulletin boards offer ‘freeware’ of various sorts for the cost of copying the program. 1989 4 Apr. 32/4 Disinfectant, the latest virus-fighting utility, is a freeware program. 2004 No. 10. 25/2 Greenstone releases his games as freeware, once they are no longer commercially viable. 1736 J. James 34 I do not understand..why the Water is supposed to rise only upon the Surface of that which he calls the Free Water, i.e. that which is flowing thro' the Arches. 1854 E. C. Evans tr. J. Pelouze & E. Fremy 103 Wood, dried in the air, shows about the following composition:—Carbon, 38·5. Water in combination, 35·5. Ashes, 1·0. Free Water, 25·0. 1859 1 248/1 We constantly watched the movements of the ice in the western channel... It was tantalizing beyond description thus to watch from day to day the free water which we could not reach. 1957 G. E. Hutchinson I. xiii. 768 The water in the sediments contains up to ten times as much sulfate as is present in the free water of the lake. 2001 G. W. Rouse & F. Pleijel xxii. 103/1 Reproduction takes place in free water. 1976 11 Jan. xi. 7/2 They pit their sinews against..bicycle ergometers, free weights and Olympic bars. 1993 (Nexis) July 28 By filling each end with water, users can..use the Bell-Buoy as a free weight. 2006 Aug. 112/1 The 60kg dumb-bells he is about to chest-press are the biggest free weights in the gym. a1620 M. Fotherby (1622) i. xiii. §1. 135 Both wittingly, and willingly, by a free-working will. 1793 J. Smeaton (ed. 2) §98 Portland, or some other free working stone. 1837 P. Lindsley in (1859) I. 396 Establish an efficient, free-working university anywhere..and the common schools will spontaneously grow up around it. 1892 J. C. Blomfield 3 Light or free-working land may be ploughed more easily than that which is stiff and heavy. 1958 H. G. Sanders (ed. 3) 100 Even couch may be eradicated on free-working soils by ploughing once every month from February to July. 2005 (Nexis) 14 Oct. 68 Seed orders drop off dramatically after the middle of October. Free working chalk soils make it possible to get everything done by then. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online June 2022). freev. Inflections: Past tense and past participle freed; Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Cognate with Old Frisian frīa , frīaia to free (West Frisian frije to woo, to have sexual intercourse with), Middle Dutch vrīen , vrijen to woo, to free (Dutch vrijen to woo, to caress, to have sexual intercourse with), Old Saxon friohan , friehan to love (Middle Low German vrīen , vrigen , vrihen to woo, marry, to free), Middle High German vrīen to woo, marry, to free (German freien to woo, court), Old Icelandic (rare) frjá to love (Old Icelandic fría to free, Old Swedish fria to woo, to free (Swedish fria ) are probably ultimately borrowings < Middle Low German), Gothic frijon to love < the same Indo-European base as Sanskrit prī- to please, delight, priyāyate (3rd singular present indicative) treats in a friendly manner, Avestan frī- to please, delight, Old Church Slavonic prijati to take care of, to be well-disposed towards, representing a verbal derivative of the Indo-European base of free adj.The primary sense of the word in Germanic appears to have been ‘to love’ (compare branch I.), with the sense ‘to make free’ (compare branch II.) developing later, directly influenced by free adj.; see further M. Scheller Vedisch ‘priyá-’ u. die Wortsippe ‘frei, freien, Freund’ (1959), D. H. Green Lang. & Hist. Early Germanic World (1998) 42, and compare discussion at free adj., n., and adv. The sense ‘to love’, although still current in Old English (chiefly in poetry), does not survive into Middle English; by contrast, in the continental West Germanic languages it is the senses developed from the sense ‘to love’ that have come to predominate (with the sense ‘to make free’ being expressed either by means of a prefixed form of the verb or by a compound verb formed on the adjective, compare German befreien (compare Old English befrēogan : see below), freilassen , lit. ‘to let free’). For the Old English variation in stem form (frēo- and frīg- ) see A. Campbell Old Eng. Gram. (1959) §§761.4, 765 and compare discussion at free adj., n., and adv. With sense 5 compare Middle French, French franchir (first half of the 14th cent. in this sense). In Old English the prefixed form gefrēogan yfree v. is also attested (earlier in sense 4a). Compare also afrēogan to free, deliver (see a- prefix1 ), befrēogan to free (see be- prefix). †I. To love. the mind > emotion > love > [verb (transitive)] OE 9 Fæder ond modor freo þu mid heortan, maga gehwylcne, gif him sy meotud on lufan. OE 12 Hyre weaxan ongon under gyrdelse þæt oft gode men ferðþum freogað ond mid feo bicgað. OE (2008) 948 Nu ic, Beowulf, þec, secg betsta, me for sunu wylle freogan on ferhþe. the mind > emotion > love > action of caressing > caress [verb (transitive)] the mind > emotion > love > embrace > [verb (transitive)] OE (Northumbrian) ix. 36 Et accipiens puerum statuit eum in medio eorum quem ut complexus esset ait illis : & onfeng þone cnæht gesette hine in middum hiora ðone þætte clioppende uel friende wæs cuoeð to him. OE (Corpus Cambr. 196) 10 Dec. 262 And sona swa hig man heafdode, þa com þær fæger culfre of þam lichaman and fleah ymbe þone lychaman and hyne freode, and þa fleah to heofenum. II. To make free. 3. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > liberation > set free [verb (transitive)] society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > be exempt from (a liability or obligation) [verb (transitive)] > free from obligation eOE tr. Orosius (BL Add.) (1980) iv. ix. 102 Ond sume, þa þe heora [hlafordas] freogean noldon,..þonne guldon hie þa consulas mid hiera gemænan feo, & siþþan freodon. OE (Northumbrian) Liturgical Texts (Durham Ritual) in A. H. Thompson & U. Lindelöf (1927) 7 Vt qui iuste pro peccatis nostris affligimur pro tui nominis gloria misericorditer liberemur : þætte ða ðe soðlic fore synnvm vsvm ve biðon asvoencde fore ðines nome wvldre miltheartlice ve sie friado. OE (Claud.) xxv. 10 On ðam forgyfennysse geare man sceall freogean ælcne ðeowan, butan he fram his hlaforde nelle. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) 443 Ich hine wille freoien, ȝif he me ȝefeð gersume. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 2787 Ic haue min folkes pine sogen..Nu am ic ligt to fren hem ðeðen, And milche and hunige lond hem queðen. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 16942 (MED) Thoru þis hali rode tre, þan war we frehed [a1400 Gött. frelsed] all. 1488 (c1478) Hary (Adv.) (1968–9) viii. l. 1580 Thai frede the folk in Ingland for to gang. a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil (1959) x. xiii. (heading) Lawsus..Quhilk fred his fader hurt in the bargane. ?1572 R. Sempill (single sheet) France will haif hir brocht hame Quene And fred out of Ingland. 1611 2 Macc. ii. 22 They..freed the citie, and vpheld the lawes. View more context for this quotation 1639 S. Du Verger tr. J.-P. Camus 23 Like a furious Tigres..seeking to free her young ones. 1693 J. Dryden tr. Persius v. 67 Can'st thou no other Master understand Than him that freed thee, by the Prætor's Wand? 1729 J. Disney i. iii. 19 The power given to any body of freeing prostituted Slaves. 1777 R. Robinson tr. J. Saurin III. iv. 85 An allusion to a custom among the Greeks, with whom a presumptive heir had a right..of freeing slaves. 1809 H. F. tr. Tibullus in J. C. Hobhouse 86 Shall I too trust the sorceress' potent art, By herb, or song, to free my captive heart? 1841 E. W. Lane tr. I. 64 He who beats his slave without fault..his atonement for this is freeing him. 1866 C. Kingsley II. ii. 30 He freed one of those four [men]. 1916 14 501 A passage in which St. George tells of slaying a giant and freeing a lady. 1976 J. Archer (1981) iv. 58 Years of putting men behind bars for major crimes, only to see them freed again shortly after. 2002 14 Jan. ii. 2/2 The Creoles,..the mixed-race descendants of slaves freed after France finally got round to abolishing slavery in 1848. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > liberation > set free [verb (transitive)] > deliver or redeem the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > get or be rid of > rid of something OE (Northumbrian) (headings to readings) xliii Caecum mutumque curans a daemonio liberat : blind & dumb haeles from dioble freweð. OE (Northumbrian) Liturgical Texts (Durham Ritual) in A. H. Thompson & U. Lindelöf (1927) 9 Liberabo eas de omnibus locis in quibus dispersę fuerant in die nubis et caliginis : ic fria hia [sc. sheep] of allum stoum in ðæm tostrogdeno ueron on dægi uolcenes & mistes. a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris (1873) 2nd Ser. 103 (MED) He ben þanne fried of þe deueles þralshipe. c1350 (1866) App. 262 (MED) Ac vri ous uram queade. 1590 R. Greene tr. O. Rinaldi sig. E4 A prisoner freed from prison. 1613 S. Purchas 284 The Portugals..not onely freed that their Castle from Turkish bondage, but had meanes to fortifie it better. 1651 T. Hobbes iii. xl. 250 Till the Israelites were freed from the Egyptians. 1736 Bp. J. Butler i. vi. 108 Freed from the Restraints of Fear. 1777 S. Johnson 6 Freed from their bonds by the imperceptible agency of divine power. 1816 J. Wilson iii. i They all died in ignorance of the plague That freed them from their cells. 1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato (ed. 2) IV. 234 A philosophy which could free the mind from the power of abstractions. 1937 M. Covarrubias ii. 30 The Sasak chiefs complained to the Dutch, asking to be freed from the tyranny of the Balinese princes. 1955 L. P. Hartley xxxv. 319 Irma had freed her from the bondage of the book, had given her back a life outside it. 2002 (Nexis) 7 May 2 He and fellow activist Koo Sze-yiu shout slogans on being freed from jail. 4. the world > action or operation > easiness > find no difficulty in [verb (transitive)] > make easy or easier > disencumber or disburden eOE (Parker) anno 885 Þy ilcan geare forþferde se goda papa Marinus, se gefreode Ongelcynnes scole be Ęlfredes bene Westseaxna cyninges.] lOE (Laud) (Peterborough interpolation) anno 777 Seo kyning freode þa þet mynstre Wocingas wið cining & wið biscop & wið eorl & wiþ ealle men. a1200 (?OE) Royal Charter: Æðelstan to St. Paul's Minster (Sawyer 452) in W. de G. Birch (1887) II. 449 Ic wille friggen ealle ða lande are into sanctes Paules mynstre, and ðæreto gesetan ðysne frivelige. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1978) 10213 Luces þe king..lond þer to leide & sette þer on godes frið & freoden alle þe chirchen. 1478 in T. Thomson (1839) 61/1 Quintyne Schaw..frede Sir William of Knollis..of the soume of vj li. 1530 J. Palsgrave 558/1 I free a marchandyse or person that shulde paye a somme or tale. Je quitte. 1573 J. Davidson xli. 80 Thocht of this feir thow salbe fred. 1598 R. Hakluyt tr. in (new ed.) I. 172 The said marchants should be exempted and freed from all custome and imposition of small clothes. 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy ii. ix. 50 The Commons..were freed of portage, tollage, and tribute. 1630 tr. G. Botero (rev. ed.) 95 If it be a blessing..to be freed from corrupt and absurd ceremonies. 1632 T. Randolph ii. iii. 22 She has a tongue Would make the deaf man blesse his imperfection That frees him from the plague of so much noise. 1670 J. Pettus 12 The King for advancement of the Stannaries in Cornwall frees the Tinners from all pleas of the Natives touching the Court. 1748 B. Robins & R. Walter ii. ii. 137 We were now freed from the apprehensions of our provisions falling short. 1761 D. Hume II. xxvii. 123 He freed their subjects from all oaths of allegiance. 1836 A. Combe i. iv. 70 From all these inconveniences we are entirely freed. 1866 A. Crump ix. 198 That Bank of England notes should be freed from stamp duty. 1874 J. R. Green iv. §2. 171 The towns had long since freed themselves from all payment of the dues..exacted by the King. 1937 12 291 The citizens of many important towns..received charters freeing them from murder fines. 1963 15 June 7/2 The Minister proposed that firms moving into areas of heavy unemployment would be freed of taxes for three years. 1970 J. McPhee 33 Before anyone can set foot or place goods on a MacBrayne's boat, a risk note must be signed freeing the company from all responsibility. 1997 25 Feb. 20/1 Both products will free users from searching Web sites manually. society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > justification > justify [verb (transitive)] > exculpate 1560 Rom. vi. 7 For he that is dead, is freed from sinne. 1594 W. Shakespeare sig. I1v My liues foule deed my lifes faire end shall free it. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. ii. 110 Mine Honor, Which I would free . View more context for this quotation 1646 H. Hammond 40 Yet can I not free them from the charge of worshiping an idol. 1825 T. D. Lauder xxi I wadna free her to be a wee skier wi' ower muckle drink. 1857 F. M. Müller in 28 Apr. 10/5 Buddhism..cannot be freed from the charge of Nihilism. 1888 T. Roosevelt (1896) ii. 45 Nor can Morris himself be altogether freed from the charge of having clung too long to the hope of a reconciliation. 1914 ‘A. McS.’ i. 2 Ay, Eppie his smeddum: I widna free 'er to try some queer pliskie on 'im. 1947 31 July 1/4 [He] was freed from the crime of uttering a false instrument when he appeared in district court..last week. 2006 (Nexis) 9 Dec. While he was unsuccessful in the first case, he reportedly succeeded in the latter, and got the duo freed of the doping charge. the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)] > do without or dispense with 1561 Abp. M. Parker Let. 13 Apr. in (1853) (modernized text) 136 If that this young student had a dispensation for the delay of his orders-taking, yet he were not freed with for his laity, and the bishop might repel him at his institution. the world > space > place > absence > be absent from [verb (transitive)] > rid of the presence of a person a1586 Sir P. Sidney (1590) ii. x. sig. T8v Meaning to free him from so Serpentine a companion as I am. a1639 J. Spottiswood (1677) 74 How soon the Cardinal was freed of the Earl of Lenox, he [etc.] 1700 W. Philips ii. 18 There is no freeing my self from him, but by beating him. (Aside) Look ye, Sir, I shall not be so wondrous Civil as you are, therefore in short, neither trouble me with your Company, nor with your professions of Friendship. 1821 W. Scott I. ix. 237 Desirous to get her house freed of her guest. 1848 H. H. Wilson III. iv. 124 To free his rear from a force which cut off his communication with Rangoon. 1860 J. S. Hittell tr. K. von Reichenbach xii. 149 The sensitive..sought to free herself of him by various pretexts. 1918 S. E. Lowe xxi. 159 Though he would not free her of his presence and though he held her closely besieged within the castle, yet had he no desire that harm should come to her. 1998 S. G. Waisman tr. N. Aguirre 150 She, for her part,..seemed desperately to want to be freed of my presence. the world > action or operation > safety > make safe or secure [verb (transitive)] > against or from something eOE (Mercian) (1965) l. 15 (16) Libera me de sanguinibus, deus, deus salutis meae : gefrea mec of blodum god god hælu minre.] 1613 S. Purchas iii. xiii. 263 Chederles hereby freed from death. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. iv. 433 Thou Churle, for this time (Though full of our displeasure) yet we free thee From the dead blow of it. View more context for this quotation 1659 D. Pell 382 There are but few Trees..that are free'd from the Thunder, save the Lawrel. the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be relieved of [verb (transitive)] > to relieve one's heart or mind 1855 30 Mar. Mr Rose could not resist the opportunity to free his mind upon the subject. 1869 A. Trollope I. xxvi. 204 ‘It is a matter in which I am bound to tell you what I think.’ ‘Very well. Now, if you have freed your mind, I will tell you my purpose.’ 1909 25 June 998/1 Discussions of the past year or two in scientific journals..move the undersigned to free his mind on the above subject. 1947 C. Mackworth viii. 107 He expresses his love and gratitude for Louis XI, and then, having freed his mind on these two matters, plunges into the subject which is never far from the heart of any poet: regret for lost and misspent youth. the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > upward movement > leaping, springing, or jumping > cause to jump [verb (transitive)] > leap, spring, or jump over a1578 R. Lindsay (1899) I. 208 The kingis horse seand this lap and fred the slake of fre will. 1653 T. Urquhart tr. F. Rabelais xxiii. 104 He..made him [sc. a horse]..free the ditch with a skip. 1787 R. Burns Death & Dr. Hornbook iii, in (new ed.) 56 I stacher'd whyles, but yet took tent ay To free the ditches. 1800 Brit. & Foreign Hist. 299/1 Rallying such of his troops as had been able to free these abysses. 6. the world > space > place > removal or displacement > remove or displace [verb (transitive)] > clear out or away 1599 S. Daniel Let. from Octavia li. sig. D2v, in Free thine owne torment, and my griefe release. 1613 T. Heywood Brazen Age ii. ii, in (1874) III. 239 By these all his stor'd labours he hath sent To call him home, to free her discontent. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. vi. 35 We may againe..Free from our Feasts, and Banquets bloody kniues. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. vi. 77 Bel. He wrings at some distresse. Gui. Would I could free't . View more context for this quotation 1638 J. Ford ii. 30 Mor... I may stand blamelesse. Cast. Free suspicion. society > travel > travel by water > other nautical operations > [verb (transitive)] > bail 1612 N. Powell & A. Todkill in W. Symonds Proc. Eng. Colonie Virginia vi. 40 in J. Smith Wee were halfe imployed in freeing out water, never thinking to escape drowning. 1622 R. Hawkins xlii. 99 In this storme, one night haling, vp our boates to free the water out of them, one of our younkers..went into them for that purpose. 1960 J. Barth ii. xxv. 389 Such mightie waves overrack'd us in that smalle barge, that with great persuasions I induc'd our Gentlemen to occupie them selves with freeing out the water. 7. 1601 T. Powell sig. Ev The wanton boy in dalliance stroue To free him from his mothers armes yfolding. a1661 T. Fuller (1662) Linc. 144 A Cub-Foxe..had his head seised on by a mighty Pike, so that neither could free themselves, but were ingrapled together. 1665 R. Hooke 37 Its parts will be..agitated, and so by degrees free and extricate themselves from one another. a1731 P. Aubin (1739) iv. 131 He freed her from the Gag in her Mouth, and unblinded her Eyes. 1794 S. Rowson (new ed.) II. ii. 8 Oh! my unhappy sister, said she, and freeing herself from the arms of her deliverer, covered her face with herhands. 1841 C. Dickens lix. 279 He grasped a little hand that sought in vain to free itself from his gripe. 1856 C. M. Yonge Cameos xxxvii, in Aug. 93 Having freed himself from his difficulties. 1892 65 590/1 A ship..fouled her propeller, and it became necessary to put her upon the ground in order to free it. 1920 Aug. 4/3 Jinnie began to..make more desperate efforts to free herself. 1930 Z. Fitzgerald Couple of Nuts in (1991) 354 As if he were freeing his fingers from some ticklish substance. 1968 E. Bowen (1969) ii. iii. 216 Eva uncrossed her wrists, freeing one hand. 1976 6 Sept. 17 He gives credit to a machine..which freed him from the wreckage in around five minutes. 2006 M. Pollan v. 87 The acid bath swells the kernels and frees the starch from the proteins that surround it. the world > space > place > absence > fact of being unoccupied > leave unoccupied [verb (transitive)] > clear out > clear of something undesirable 1613 S. Purchas viii. v. 634 Faire and open grounds freed from woods. 1678 V. Alsop Introd. 28 No Art of Man will free the Cask from a tang at least of the old mustiness. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil 121 Nor cou'd their tainted Flesh with Ocean Tides Be freed from Filth. View more context for this quotation 1723 D. Defoe (ed. 2) 198 I had a large Quantity of Land Cur'd, that is, freed from timber. 1796 (new ed.) xvii. 280 Take six pounds of young pork, free it from bone and skin. 1820 J. Keats Eve of St. Agnes in 96 Of all its wreathed pearls her hair she frees. 1837 C. R. Goring & A. Pritchard 203 For freeing the gases of their impurities. 1886 80 213/2 Has anyone ever succeeded in freeing a ship at sea in a warm latitude from cockroaches? 1917 W. Lees 57 The land, freed from pear, is wonderfully productive. 1951 187/1 The groove of the frame should be freed..of earth and rust, and packed with..cup-grease. 1997 B. Rowlands 84 Many people claim that the Alexander technique has unknotted them and freed their body from years of tension. 1625 H. Mainwaring (MS BL Add. 21571) f. 62v When a Shipp hath much water in her wee saie the Pumps will free her or will not free her. 1627 J. Smith vi. 27 Free the Boat is to baile or cast out the water. 1769 W. Falconer at Water-logged There is no resource for the crew, except to free her by the pumps. 1826 W. A. Weaver Introd. p. xiv The pumps were not sufficient to free her. 1860 (ed. 2) 12 That every preparation can be promptly made before going into action to free the ship, in case of receiving injuries below the water line. 1917 12 May 7/5 How they found the balers and bucket in the dark I don't know, but they managed to free the boat. 1964 D. Carroll in (1983) 201/2 The two of them..dumped the bread boxes and freed her out. the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > open [verb (transitive)] > open by freeing of obstruction 1690 J. Dryden iv. i. 75 This Master Key Frees every Lock, and leads us to his Person. 1700 J. Dryden tr. G. Boccaccio 285 Hast'ning to his prey, By force the furious lover free'd his way. 1777 W. Green tr. Horace Carmen Seculare in tr. Horace 199 Who saw unhappy Troy expire, And freed his way through foes, and fire. 1937 16 Aug. 2/2 An auger was used in boring holes large enough to allow one of the intruders to reach through and free the lock on the inside. 1959 ‘J. Welcome’ viii. 132 The door buzzer sounded in the hall... She..pressed the button that freed the lock. 1998 (Nexis) 1 Oct. Burglars will still be unable to open the door but tenants will be able to find the button and push it in an emergency, freeing the lock. the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > part with or let go > make available 1941 41 18 The hilar structures of the entire lung are freed up separately by sharp and blunt dissection. 1972 22 Aug. 2/7 (advt.) Para-legals..are used by an ever-increasing number of prominent attorneys to..free up their time. 1978 4 55 The evidence..freed up from its constraining theoretical framework. 1991 14 Sept. 97/1 Just-in-time stock control (to free up cash to repay debt) improves manufacturing quality. 2005 Z. Smith 423 For the love of God, throw away something so I can free up some space in the storeroom. society > occupation and work > industry > mining > mine [verb (transitive)] > register new lead-mine or -vein 1653 E. Manlove 2 First the finder his two meers must free With oar there found, for the Barghmaster's fee. 1734 High Peak Articles in 24 If any Miner..do free, or pay a Meare Dish of Ore for a Meare of Ground. 1747 W. Hooson sig. D3 I am obliged to Free for a new Vein, or Forfeit the same to the Lord. 1811 J. Farey I. 57 It is held, that unless a Miner procures Ore enough, from any search he may make after a Vein, to free the same,..he is liable to the Occupier for all the damage he may have done him. 1851 c. 94 Sched. i. §12 If any Miner shall work any Mine or Vein without having duly freed the same. 1998 J. H. Rieuwerts 76/2 Each taker meer was similarly freed by giving the first dish of ore obtained from that meer to the Barmaster. society > communication > correspondence > postal services > payment for postage > [verb (transitive)] > frank to secure exemption 1752 E. Synge 29 Aug. (1996) 464 But one post the pacquet went to Mr Wills, who frees as well as I do. 1775 S. Johnson 26 Feb. (1992) II. 183 Please to free this Letter to Mrs. Lucy Porter in Lichfield. 1823 1 410/2 Those who do not free their letters. society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > have freedom of action [verb (intransitive)] > take liberties 1889 Free, intrans, to make free; take liberties: followed by with. [Colloq.] This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online June 2022). <  adj.n.adv.eOE v.eOE |
