Part 331

Frank (?), n. [OF. franc.] A pigsty. [Obs.]

Frank, v. t. To shut up in a frank or sty; to pen up; hence, to cram; to fatten. [Obs.] Shak.

Frank, n. (Zoˆl.) The common heron; -- so called from its note. [Prov. Eng.]

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Frank (?), a. [Compar Franker (?); superl. Frankest.] [F. franc free, frank, L. Francus a Frank, fr. OHG. Franko the name of a Germanic people on the Rhine, who afterward founded the French monarchy; cf. AS. franca javelin, Icel. frakka. Cf. Franc, French, a., Franchise, n.] 1. Unbounded by restrictions, limitations, etc.; free. [R.] "It is of frank gift." Spenser.

2. Free in uttering one's real sentiments; not reserved; using no disguise; candid; ingenuous; as, a frank nature, conversation, manner, etc.

3. Liberal; generous; profuse. [Obs.]

Frank of civilities that cost them nothing.

L'Estrange.

4. Unrestrained; loose; licentious; -- used in a bad sense. Spenser.

Syn. -- Ingenuous; candid; artless; plain; open; unreserved; undisguised; sincere. See Candid, Ingenuous.

Frank (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Franked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Franking.] 1. To send by public conveyance free of expense. Dickens.

2. To extempt from charge for postage, as a letter, package, or packet, etc.

Frank, n. [See Frank, a.] The privilege of sending letters or other mail matter, free of postage, or without charge; also, the sign, mark, or signature denoting that a letter or other mail matter is to free of postage.

I have said so much, that, if I had not a frank, I must burn my letter and begin again.

Cowper.

Frank, n. [Cf. F. franc. See Frank, a.] 1. (Ethnol.) A member of one of the German tribes that in the fifth century overran and conquered Gaul, and established the kingdom of France.

2. A native or inhabitant of Western Europe; a European; -- a term used in the Levant.

3. A French coin. See Franc.

Frank`al*moigne" (?), n. [F. franc free + Norm. F. almoigne alma, for almosne, F. aumÙne. See Frank, a., and Almoner.] (Eng. Law) A tenure by which a religious corporation holds lands given to them and their successors forever, usually on condition of praying for the soul of the donor and his heirs; -- called also tenure by free alms. Burrill.

Frank"-chase` (?), n. [Frank free + chase.] (Eng. Law) The liberty or franchise of having a chase; free chase. Burrill.

Frank"-fee` (?), n. [Frank free + fee.] (Eng. Law) A species of tenure in fee simple, being the opposite of ancient demesne, or copyhold. Burrill.

Frank"fort black` (?). A black pigment used in copperplate printing, prepared by burning vine twigs, the lees of wine, etc. McElrath.

Frank"in*cense (?), n. [OF. franc free, pure + encens incense.] A fragrant, aromatic resin, or gum resin, burned as an incense in religious rites or for medicinal fumigation. The best kinds now come from East Indian trees, of the genus Boswellia; a commoner sort, from the Norway spruce (Abies excelsa) and other coniferous trees. The frankincense of the ancient Jews is still unidentified.

Frank"ing (?), n. (Carp.) A method of forming a joint at the intersection of window-sash bars, by cutting away only enough wood to show a miter.

Frank"ish, a. Like, or pertaining to, the Franks.

Frank"-law` (?), n. [Frank free + law.] (Eng. Law) The liberty of being sworn in courts, as a juror or witness; one of the ancient privileges of a freeman; free and common law; -- an obsolete expression signifying substantially the same as the American expression civil rights. Abbot.

Frank"lin (?), n. [OE. frankelein; cf. LL. franchilanus. See Frank, a.] An English freeholder, or substantial householder. [Obs.] Chaucer.