Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FRANK, a. [Fr. franc; It. and Sp. franco; G. frank; D. vrank. Qu. Ar. فَرَغَ fraga or franga, to free. Class Br, No. 36, or Class Brg, No. 5, 6, 7, 8. Free and frank may be from the same root or family, for free in Saxon is frigan, coinciding in elements with break, and the nasal sound of g would give frank. The French franchir gives the sense of breaking out or over limits.]

1. Open; ingenuous; candid; free in uttering real sentiments; not reserved; using no disguise. Young persons are usually frank; old persons are more reserved.
2. Open; ingenuous; as, a frank disposition or heart.
3. Liberal; generous; not niggardly. Bacon. [This sense is now rare.]
4. Free; without conditions or compensation; as, a frank gift.
5. Licentious; unrestrained. [Not used.] Spenser.