Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FREE, a. [Sax. frig, freoh, free; frigan, freogan, to free; G. frei; D. vry; Dan. fri; Sw. fri; all contracted from frig, which corresponds with Heb. and Ch. פרק, Syr. ܦܪܩ, Sam. qrp, Ar. فَرَقَ faraka, to break, to separate, to divide, to free, to redeem, &c. See Frank.]

1. Being at liberty; not being under necessity or restraint, physical or moral; a word of general application to the body, the will or mind, and to corporations.
2. In government, not enslaved; not in a state of vassalage, or dependence; subject only to fixed laws, made by consent, and to a regular administration of such laws; not subject to the arbitrary will of a sovereign or lord; as, a free state, nation or people.
3. Instituted by a free people, or by consent or choice of those who are to be subjects, and securing private rights and privileges by fixed laws and principles; not arbitrary or despotic; as, a free constitution or government. There can be no free government without a democratical branch in the constitution. J. Adams.
4. Not imprisoned, confined or under arrest; as, the prisoner is set free.
5. Unconstrained; unrestrained; not under compulsion or control. A man is free to pursue his own choice; he enjoys free will.
6. Permitted; allowed; open; not appropriated; as, places of honor and confidence are free to all; we seldom hear of a commerce perfectly free.
7. Not obstructed; as the water has a free passage or channel; the house is open to a free current of air.
8. Licentious; unrestrained. The reviewer is very free in his censures.
9. Open; candid; frank; ingenuous; unreserved; as, we had a free conversation together. Will you be free and candid to your friend? Otway.
10. Liberal in expenses; not parsimonious; as, a free purse; a man is free to give to all useful institutions.
11. Gratuitous; not gained by importunity or purchase. He made him a free offer of his services. It is a free gift. The salvation of men is of free grace.
12. Clear of crime or offense; guiltless; innocent. My hands are guilty, but my heart is free. Dryden.
13. Not having feeling or suffering; clear; exempt; with from; as, free from pain or disease; free from remorse.
14. Not encumbered with; as, free from a burden.
15. Open to all, without restriction or without expense; as, a free school.
16. Invested with franchises; enjoying certain immunities; with of; as, a man free of the city of London.
17. Possessing without vassalage or slavish conditions; as, free of his farm. Dryden.
18. Liberated from the government or control of parents, or of guardian or master. A son or an apprentice, when of age, is free.
19. Ready; eager; not dull; acting without spurring or whipping; as, a free horse.
20. Genteel; charming. [Not in use.] Chaucer.