frolicn.
/ˈfrɒlɪk/, U.S. /ˈfrɑlɪk/ 1.
a. An outburst of fun, gaiety, or mirth; a prank. Also, †a flourish (on the drum). on the frolic: on the ‘spree’.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > frolicking or romping > [noun] > a frolic
oliprancec1390
ragerya1393
vague1523
rex1566
friskin1570
gambol1573
reak1573
prank1576
vagary1588
whirligig1589
caper1592
prinkum-prankum1596
firk1611
frolica1635
carryings-on1663
ramp1696
romp1713
freak1724
scheme1758
rig1782
lark1811
escapade1814
gammock1819
gambade1821
enfantillage1827
game1828
shines1830
rollick1834
rusty1835
high jinksa1845
escapado1849
shenanigan1855
rum-tum1876
panta1901
gas1914
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > sound of instruments > [noun] > sound of drums > roll or flourish
frolica1635
roll1688
ruff1688
ruffle1694
long roll1756
travale1798
drumroll1810
tambour-peal1823
paradiddle1835
press roll1934
a1635 R. Corbet To Ld. Mordant 110 Whiles the bold Drum Strikes up his Frolick, through the Hall they come.
1654 R. Whitlock Ζωοτομία 311 Thou and I will enjoy our selves in uncontrouled Frolicks, and Discourse.
1681 J. Dryden Spanish Fryar iii. i. 33 I was upon the Frolick this evening, and came to visit thee in Masquerade.
1701 C. Cibber Love makes Man v. 54 What is my Dear in her Frolicks already?
a1790 B. Franklin Autobiogr. (1981) ii. 75 I spent no time in Taverns, Games, or frolicks of any kind.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth vii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. III. 169 But mark you, it shall be the last of my frolics.
1873 J. R. Lowell Among my Bks. 2nd Ser. 176 He..often filled whole pages..with the gay frolics of his pencil.
b. Fun, merriment, sportive mirth.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > frolicking or romping > [noun]
rampinga1425
daffing1535
May game1571
horseplay1590
hoiting1594
wantonizing1598
roguery1611
romperinga1625
hoity-toity1668
frolicking1676
frolic1677
romping1694
wantoning1701
vagary1791
skylarking1809
larking1813
rollicking1823
high-jinking1891
shenaniganning1924
grab-ass1948
mollocking1959
bants2008
1677 T. D'Urfey Madam Fickle iii. 26 There's mirth and frolick in't.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 203 To such a madness of frolick and intemperance.
1774 O. Goldsmith Retaliation 52 Alas, that such frolic should now be so quiet!
a1839 W. M. Praed Poems (1864) I. 276 Those who meet as we have met, In frolic and in laughter.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 39 All young creatures are full of motion and frolic.
c. = whim n.1
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > inconstancy > [noun] > capriciousness > a caprice or whim
fantasya1450
wantonness1531
humour1533
worm?a1534
will1542
toy?1545
whey-worm1548
wild worm1548
freak1563
crotchet1573
fancy1579
whim-wham1580
whirligig1589
caper1592
megrim1593
spleen1594
kicksey-winsey1599
fegary1600
humorousness1604
curiosity1605
conundrum1607
whimsy1607
windmill1612
buzza1616
capriccioa1616
quirka1616
flama1625
maggota1625
fantasticality1631
capruch1634
gimcrack1639
whimseycado1654
caprich1656
excursion1662
frisk1665
caprice1673
fita1680
grub1681
fantasque1697
whim1697
frolic1711
flight1717
whigmaleery1730
vagary1753
maddock1787
kink1803
fizgig1824
fad1834
whimmery1837
fantod1839
brain crack1853
whimsy-whamsy1871
tic1896
tick1900
1711 J. Swift Jrnl. to Stella 5 Apr. (1948) I. 235 If the frolick should take you of going to the Bath, I here send you a note on Parvisol.
2. A scene or occasion of gaiety or mirth; a merry-making; a party. In U.S. = bee n.3 Also preceded by some modifying word, as reaping-frolic, water-frolic.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > social event > a merrymaking or convivial occasion > [noun]
treschec1290
laetificationc1485
gossiping1557
special occasion1574
merry-meeting1597
merrymaking1618
frolic1645
merriment1663
rush1788
convivialities1830
merrymake1833
upshot1837
ball1879
spurt1885
sing-sing1899
jolly1905
rage1980
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > boat racing or race > [noun] > series of
water-frolic1645
regatta?1770
1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ vi. xxi. 37 I intend to wait on you, and give you a frolik.
1663 A. Cowley Cutter of Coleman-St. v. x. 65 We hit upon this frolique, Colonel, only for a kind o' Mask..to celebrate your Nuptials.
1770 F. Burney Early Jrnls. & Lett. (1988) I. 125 I told him of my frolick for Friday.
1817 J. Bradbury Trav. Amer. 292 This operation is almost always the subject of what they term a frolic, or in some places, a bee.
1833 H. Martineau Briery Creek i. 18 They meant to have a reaping frolic when the corn should be ripe. It should be a pic-nic.
1895 W. Rye Gloss. Words E. Anglia Frolic, water-frolic, a gala, regatta, or water-picnic.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > poem or piece of poetry > light poem > [noun] > verse written for specific occasion > circulated at feast
frolic1631
1631 B. Jonson Divell is Asse ii. viii. 73 in Wks. II To see him..drinke vnto 'hem; And then talke baudy: and send frolicks! o!
1631 S. Jerome Arraignem. Whole Creature xiv. §2. 244 Moveable as Shittlecockes..or as Frolicks at Feasts, sent from man to man, returning againe at last, to the first man.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > toy or plaything > [noun]
beaubeletc1205
juelet1340
trifle1375
geara1400
gaudc1430
jape1436
playing thing1440
baublea1475
playock1508
gewgawa1529
toy?1565
gay1577
gambol1579
ruggle1598
frolic1650
playthinga1674
wally1692
sporting-piece1740
playferea1774
play material1897
play-pretty1905
1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine iv. vii. 136 Apples were dedicated unto her, and her image commonly made with such fruit, as a frolick, in her hand.
Derivatives
ˈfrolicful adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > frolicking or romping > [adjective]
ramping1484
rampish1530
frolic?1548
prankya1556
hoiting1594
tricksy1598
tida1641
frolickish1660
romping1662
hoity-toity1690
rompish1696
frolicsome1699
friskful1728
highty-tighty1737
frolicky1748
prankish1776
rollicking1786
prankfula1795
pranksome1810
tricksome1815
espiègle1816
larkish1823
skylarking1826
larking1828
rompy1838
larky1841
rollicksome1841
Pucklike1845
rollicky1846
frolicful1848
larksome1871
puckish1874
horseplayish1882
frolicking1887
tricksical1889
shenaniganning1924
1848 J. Craig New Universal Dict. Frolicful.
ˈfrolicky adj. full of frolic, frolicsome.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > frolicking or romping > [adjective]
ramping1484
rampish1530
frolic?1548
prankya1556
hoiting1594
tricksy1598
tida1641
frolickish1660
romping1662
hoity-toity1690
rompish1696
frolicsome1699
friskful1728
highty-tighty1737
frolicky1748
prankish1776
rollicking1786
prankfula1795
pranksome1810
tricksome1815
espiègle1816
larkish1823
skylarking1826
larking1828
rompy1838
larky1841
rollicksome1841
Pucklike1845
rollicky1846
frolicful1848
larksome1871
puckish1874
horseplayish1882
frolicking1887
tricksical1889
shenaniganning1924
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa V. xxiv. 209 A little too frolicky that air—Yet have I prepared my Beloved to expect..great vivacity and quality-freedom.
1751 S. Richardson Clarissa (ed. 3) V. xxxvi. 317 Yet may we..make a good frolicky half-day with them.
1883 E. W. Nye Baled Hay 88 They was just frolicky and gay because they felt good.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
frolicadj.
/ˈfrɒlɪk/, U.S. /ˈfrɑlɪk/ 1. absolute.a1656 Bp. J. Hall Shaking of Olive-tree (1660) ii. 182 Blessed are the frolick and joviall.1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 176. ⁋6 You may find Instances of the Haughty, the Proud, the Frolick, the Stubborn, who are each of them in secret downright Slaves.1781 S. Johnson Addison in Pref. Wks. Eng. Poets V. 31 The Tatler and Spectator..taught the frolick and the gay to unite merriment with decency.† b. transferred of colours, wine, etc. Obsolete.
a. In early use: Joyous, merry, mirthful. In later use with sense derived from the verb: Frolicsome, sportive, full of merry pranks.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > merriment > [adjective]
blitheOE
merryOE
golikc1175
lustya1225
playfulc1225
jollyc1305
merrya1350
jocund?c1380
galliardc1386
in (also on) a (merry, etc.) pinc1395
mirthfula1400
baudec1400
gayc1400
jovy1426
jocantc1440
crank1499
envoisiesa1500
as merry as a cricket1509
pleasant1530
frolic?1548
jolious1575
gleeful1586
buxom1590
gleesome1590
festival1592
laughter-loving1592
disposed1593
jucund1596
heartsomec1600
jovial1607
jovialist1610
laughsome1612
jocundary1618
gaysome1633
chirpinga1637
jovialissime1652
airy1654
festivous1654
hilarous1659
spleneticala1661
cocket1671
cranny1673
high1695
vogie1715
raffing?1719
festal1724
as merry (or lively) as a grig1728
hearty1755
tittuping1772
festive1774
fun-loving1776
mirthsome1787
Falstaffian1809
cranky1811
laughful1825
as lively as a cricket1832
hurrah1835
hilarious1838
Bacchic1865
laughterful1874
griggish1879
banzai1929
slap-you-on-the-back1932
society > leisure > entertainment > frolicking or romping > [adjective]
ramping1484
rampish1530
frolic?1548
prankya1556
hoiting1594
tricksy1598
tida1641
frolickish1660
romping1662
hoity-toity1690
rompish1696
frolicsome1699
friskful1728
highty-tighty1737
frolicky1748
prankish1776
rollicking1786
prankfula1795
pranksome1810
tricksome1815
espiègle1816
larkish1823
skylarking1826
larking1828
rompy1838
larky1841
rollicksome1841
Pucklike1845
rollicky1846
frolicful1848
larksome1871
puckish1874
horseplayish1882
frolicking1887
tricksical1889
shenaniganning1924
?1548 J. Bale Comedy Thre Lawes Nature iv. sig. Fijv And make frowlyke chere, with hey how fryska Jolye.
a1640 J. Day & H. Chettle Blind-beggar (1659) sig. D1 Fair Love be frolick talk no more of death and care.
1645 J. Milton L'Allegro in Poems 31 The frolick Wind that breathes the Spring.
1676 G. Etherege Man of Mode iv. i. 67 Then sparkling Champaigne..Makes us frolick and gay.
1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. i. 29 The Nature and Education of Spain restrain'd men from..Gayety, and Frolique humour.
1791 E. Darwin Bot. Garden ii. 140 Galantha..prints with frolic step the melting snows.
1844 B. Disraeli Coningsby III. vii. iv. 131 Her voice was rich and sweet; the air she sang..fantastically frolic.
1873 J. G. Holland Arthur Bonnicastle iii. 60 A thousand forms of frolic life.
ΚΠ
1593 M. Drayton Idea viii. sig. Jv She ware a frock of frolicke greene.
a1644 F. Quarles Judgem. & Mercy (1646) 2 Eate thy Bread with a merry heart, and gulp downe care in frolique cups of liberall Wine.
1648 R. Herrick Hesperides sig. Z3v And yet each Verse of thine Out-did the meate, out-did the frolick wine.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > liberal giving > [adjective]
custyeOE
room-handeda1200
largea1225
free?c1225
plenteousc1350
bounteousc1374
liberalc1384
free-hearteda1398
ungnedea1400
royalc1405
opena1425
plentifula1475
profuse?a1475
ungrighta1475
lavishc1475
almifluent1477
prodigous1477
frank1484
bountiful1508
largifluent?a1525
munificent1565
magnificent1577
largeous1583
munifical1583
magnifical1586
free-handed1592
frolic1593
open-handed1593
magnific?1594
prodigal1595
goodwillya1598
communicativea1602
real1602
prodig1605
unniggard1605
generous1615
open-hearteda1617
large-handeda1628
unniggardly1628
fluent1633
profusive1638
numerous1655
largifical1656
insordid1660
unsparing1667
dispensive1677
expensive1678
wasteful1701
flush1703
unboundeda1704
genteel1741
munific1745
magnifique1751
ungrudginga1774
unstinting1845
brickish1860
flaithulach1876
princely1889
outgiving1896
sharing1922
two-handed1929
1593 Passionate Morrice in Tell-Trothes New-yeares Gift (1876) 79 Shee began to perceave that Master Anthonie was changed, being nothing so frolick of his kindness as he had been.
3. quasi-adv. or int.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > frolicking or romping > frolic [interjection] > command to be merry
frolic1594
1594 T. Lodge Wounds Ciuill War (1883) 19 Frolike braue Souldiers wee must foote it now.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) iv. iii. 180 Therefore frolicke, we will hence forthwith. View more context for this quotation
Compounds
frolic-hearted adj.
ΚΠ
a1644 F. Quarles Judgem. & Mercy (1646) 19 The vacant houres of frolique-hearted youth.
Derivatives
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > frolicking or romping > [adjective]
ramping1484
rampish1530
frolic?1548
prankya1556
hoiting1594
tricksy1598
tida1641
frolickish1660
romping1662
hoity-toity1690
rompish1696
frolicsome1699
friskful1728
highty-tighty1737
frolicky1748
prankish1776
rollicking1786
prankfula1795
pranksome1810
tricksome1815
espiègle1816
larkish1823
skylarking1826
larking1828
rompy1838
larky1841
rollicksome1841
Pucklike1845
rollicky1846
frolicful1848
larksome1871
puckish1874
horseplayish1882
frolicking1887
tricksical1889
shenaniganning1924
1660 Char. Italy To Rdr. sig. A iv The more frolickish Genius, who no doubt is freer from intended mischief then the thoughtful man, will disgest it.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > playfulness > [noun]
sportfulnessa1586
sportiveness1601
frolicknessa1617
gamesomeness1631
ludibundness1664
playfulness1673
playsomeness1676
friskiness1727
sportability1768
coquetry1794
toyfulness1838
larkiness1896
kittenishness1905
a1617 S. Hieron Penance for Sinne in Wks. (1620) II. 104 Dost thou maruell at his frollikenesse and iollitie.
1668 J. Glanvill Blow at Mod. Sadducism 150 Frolickness of Fancy.
a1680 T. Goodwin Wks. (1704) V. ii. 199 Mirth, Jollity, Frolickness of Youth, as you call them.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
frolicv.
/ˈfrɒlɪk/, U.S. /ˈfrɑlɪk/ 1. intransitive. To make merry; in later use, to play pranks, gambol, caper about. Also, to frolic it.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > frolicking or romping > frolic [verb (intransitive)]
floxec1200
ragea1275
to dance antics1545
rig1570
to keep (also play) reaks1573
wanton1582
wantonize1592
frolic1593
wantonize1611
hoit1613
mird?c1625
to play about1638
freak1663
romp1665
rump1680
ramp1735
jinket1742
skylark1771
to cut up1775
rollick1786
hoity-toity1790
fun1802
lark1813
gammock1832
haze1848
marlock1863
train1877
horse1901
mollock1932
spadger1939
grab-ass1957
1593 Tell-Trothes New-yeares Gift (1876) 29 They frolique both in glory.
1601 J. Marston et al. Iacke Drums Entertainm. i. sig. A3v Tis Whitson-tyde, and we must frolick it.
c1639 T. Dekker & J. Ford Sun's-darling (1656) v. 37 I came to frolick with you, and to chear Your drouping soules by vigor of my beams.
a1677 I. Barrow Several Serm. Evil-speaking (1678) ii. 64 Those who can devise no other subjects to frollick upon beside these.
a1677 I. Barrow Several Serm. Evil-speaking (1678) 77 It would not be seemly to frollick it thus.
1770 O. Goldsmith Deserted Village 257 Lightly they frolic o'er the vacant mind.
1780 S. Johnson Let. 11 Apr. (1992) III. 235 My Mistress..laughs, and frisks, and frolicks it all the long day.
1823 Ld. Byron Island iii. iii. 50 Its bounding chrystal frolicked in the ray.
1841–4 R. W. Emerson Poet in Wks. (1906) I. 158 Talent may frolic and juggle; genius realizes and adds.
1885 J. Ruskin Præterita I. vi. 181 Horses..frolicking with each other when they had a chance.
2. transitive.† a. To make joyous or merry. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > merriment > cause to be merry [verb (transitive)]
merrya1350
mirtha1400
to meng with mirth(s)c1440
frolic1582
jovialize1614
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis iii. 55 Also mye companions in country cittye be frollickt.
1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. lxxv. sig. F4v Vertue..giues such Cordials, as frolicke the heart, in the presse of adversitie.
b. [ < frolic n.] To give ‘frolics’ or parties to.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > social event > social gathering > party > attending or giving party > give party to [verb (transitive)]
hurricane1682
frolic1807
party1934
1807 Salmagundi 18 Apr. 158 By dint of dinners, of feeding and frolicking the town, the Giblet family worked themselves into notice.
Derivatives
ˈfrolicking n. and adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > frolicking or romping > [noun]
rampinga1425
daffing1535
May game1571
horseplay1590
hoiting1594
wantonizing1598
roguery1611
romperinga1625
hoity-toity1668
frolicking1676
frolic1677
romping1694
wantoning1701
vagary1791
skylarking1809
larking1813
rollicking1823
high-jinking1891
shenaniganning1924
grab-ass1948
mollocking1959
bants2008
society > leisure > entertainment > frolicking or romping > [adjective]
ramping1484
rampish1530
frolic?1548
prankya1556
hoiting1594
tricksy1598
tida1641
frolickish1660
romping1662
hoity-toity1690
rompish1696
frolicsome1699
friskful1728
highty-tighty1737
frolicky1748
prankish1776
rollicking1786
prankfula1795
pranksome1810
tricksome1815
espiègle1816
larkish1823
skylarking1826
larking1828
rompy1838
larky1841
rollicksome1841
Pucklike1845
rollicky1846
frolicful1848
larksome1871
puckish1874
horseplayish1882
frolicking1887
tricksical1889
shenaniganning1924
1676 H. Teonge Diary (1825) 165 All the day following they spend in frollikeing with their women.
c1741 D. Brainerd in J. Edwards Life Brainerd (1851) i. 3 Addicted to young company or frolicing (as it is called).
1786 F. Burney Diary 4 Nov. (1842) III. 208 In the midst of this frolicking..the King entered!
1829 W. Cobbett Advice to Young Men iii. §147 Winter is the great season for jaunting and dancing (called frolicking) in America.
1869 ‘M. Twain’ Innocents Abroad i. 19 A long summer day's laborious frolicking.
1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Eclogues ii, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 12 Frolicking she-goat roves to the cytisus flower to be fed.
ˈfrolicker n. one who frolicks.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > frolicking or romping > [noun] > frolicker
wantonc1450
friskera1549
a merry (or mad) grig1566
friskin1596
uptails1602
gamester1616
romp1678
romper?1780
frolicker1801
skylarker1818
larker1826
rollicker1837
larrikin1868
rompster1893
jive-ass1964
1801 in D. L. Leonard Papers Ohio Ch. Hist. Soc. (1894) V. 48 Swearers and Sabbath-breakers, frolickers and dancers were pricked and crying for mercy.
ˈfrolickery n. [see -ery suffix] buffoonery.Apparently an isolated use.
ΚΠ
1851 F. Palgrave Hist. Normandy & Eng. I. 408 He took to the trade in frolickery.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1631
adj.?1548v.1582