free linen.
/ˈfriː lʌɪn/, U.S. /ˈfri ˌlaɪn/ Angling.
A fishing line without weights or floats, used for fishing with the bait (often relatively large bait, sometimes live) attached directly to the hook.
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the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > fishing-line > [noun] > other types of line
ground-linea1450
ledger-line1653
gildert1681
kipping-linec1686
fly-line1706
night line1726
trout-line1789
train line1828
runner1835
salmon line1850
loop-line1859
stray-line1879
dandy-line1882
kelp line1884
cross-line1891
free line1913
flatline1950
multistrand1960
flatliner1984
1913 Times 29 Sept. 13/7 When the worm will not attract, a minnow or other small fish can be used..with the free line.
1975 News (Port Arthur, Texas) 21 Sept. 7 c/5 Freelines baited with whole pogie, sandtrout or ribbonfish are often the best means of taking big snapper.
2000 D. Oster Luring Largemouth Bass 126 You can let the bait swim through cover with a free line.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1913