frank

adj

/ˈfɹæŋk//ˈfɹeɪ̯ŋk/CA

Etymology

From Middle English Frank, partially from Old English Franca (“a Frank”); and partially from Old French Franc, and/or Latin Francus (“a Frank”), from Frankish *Franko (“a Frank”); both maybe from Proto-Germanic *frankô (“javelin”). Cognate with Old High German Franko (“a Frank”), Old English franca (“spear, javelin”). Compare Saxon, ultimately a derivative of Proto-Germanic *sahsą (“knife, dagger”). Doublet of franc, frank, and farang.

derived from *frankô✻
derived from *Franko✻
derived from Francus
derived from Franc
inherited from Franca
inherited from Frank

Definitions

1
Honest, especially in a manner that seems slightly blunt
Honest, especially in a manner that seems slightly blunt; candid; not reserved or disguised.
- May I be frank with you?
2
Unmistakable, clinically obvious, self-evident.
- The research probes whether treating pre-diabetes with metformin can prevent progression to frank diabetes.
3
Unbounded by restrictions, limitations, etc.
Unbounded by restrictions, limitations, etc.; free.
- It is of frank gift.
›+ 18 more definitionsshow fewer
1. 4
  Liberal
  Liberal; generous; profuse.
  - Frank of Civilities that cost them nothing.
2. 5
  Unrestrained
  Unrestrained; loose; licentious.
  - Over the fields, in his franke lustinesse, And all the champain o're he soared light.
3. 6
  Free postage, a right exercised by governments (usually with definite article).
  - October 5, 1780, William Cowper, letter to Rev. William Unwin I have said so much, that, if I had not a frank, I must burn my letter and begin again.
4. The notice on an envelope where a stamp would normally be found.
5. 8
  To place a frank on an envelope.
  - It will be so ridiculous to see all his letters directed to him with an M.P.—But do you know, he says, he will never frank for me?
6. To exempt from charge for postage, as a letter, package, or packet, etc.
7. To send by public conveyance free of expense.
8. 11
  A hot dog or sausage.
  - Buy a package of franks for the barbecue.
  - We had a farewell meal of franks and beans in a Seventh Avenue Riker’s, and then Dean got on the bus that said Chicago and roared off into the night.
  - I want the name of this flying whatchamacallit to go with the Daily Planet like bacon and eggs, franks and beans, death and taxes, politics and corruption!
9. The grey heron.
10. A pigsty.
11. 14
  To shut up in a frank or sty
  To shut up in a frank or sty; to pen up; hence, to cram; to fatten.
  - Marry, as for Clarence, he is well repaid; He is franked up to fatting for his pains
12. Obsolete form of franc, former French coins, moneys of account, and currency.
13. One of the Franks, a Germanic federation that inhabited parts of what are now France, the…
  One of the Franks, a Germanic federation that inhabited parts of what are now France, the Low Countries and Germany.
14. Frenchman.
15. 18
  A male given name from the Germanic languages.
  - Mrs. Ford. How now, sweet Frank! why art thou melancholy?
16. 19
  A diminutive of the male given name Francis.
  - Your name is Francis, is it? Frank, sir. Your name is Francis. There was never a St. Frank. That's a name for gangsters and politicians.
17. A surname transferred from the nickname.
18. A place name
  A place name:

The neighborhood

neighborprepay

Derived

frank bank, frank-fee, frankly, frank-marriage, frankness, frankpledge, franksome, to be frank, unfrank, overfrank, frankable, prefranked, unfranked, Frank-Tamm formula, Frank-ter Haar syndrome

Vish — recursive loop

A definitional loop anchored at frank. Each word in the ring is defined by the next; follow the chain far enough and it folds back on itself. Scroll to it and watch.

A definitional loop anchored at frank. Each word in the ring appears in the definition of the next; follow the chain far enough and it folds back on itself.

9 hops · closes at frank

curated · pre-corpus. live cycle detection across the full graph is the next major milestone.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA