Part 339

Free"boot`ing, a. Acting the freebooter; practicing freebootery; robbing.

Your freebooting acquaintance.

Sir W. Scott.

Free"boot`y (?), n. Freebootery. [Obs.]

Free"born` (?), a. Born free; not born in vassalage; inheriting freedom.

Free"-den`i*zen (?), v. t. To make free. [R.]

Freed"man (?), n.; pl. Freedmen (&?;). A man who has been a slave, and has been set free.

Free"dom (fr"dm), n. [AS. freÛdm; freÛfree + - dom. See Free, and -dom.] 1. The state of being free; exemption from the power and control of another; liberty; independence.

Made captive, yet deserving freedom more.

Milton.

2. Privileges; franchises; immunities.

Your charter and your caty's freedom.

Shak.

3. Exemption from necessity, in choise and action; as, the freedom of the will.

4. Ease; facility; as, he speaks or acts with freedom.

5. Frankness; openness; unreservedness.

I emboldened spake and freedom used.

Milton.

6. Improper familiarity; violation of the rules of decorum; license.

7. Generosity; liberality. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Freedom fine, a sum paid on entry to incorporations of trades. -- Freedom of the city, the possession of the rights and privileges of a freeman of the city; formerly often, and now occasionally, conferred on one not a resident, as a mark of honorary distinction for public services.

Syn. -- See Liberty.

Freed"stool` (?), n. [Obs.] See Fridstol.

Free"-hand` (?), a. Done by the hand, without support, or the guidance of instruments; as, free- hand drawing. See under Drawing.

Free"-hand`ed, a. Open-handed; liberal.

Free"-heart`ed (?), a. Open; frank; unreserved; liberal; generous; as, free-hearted mirth. -- Free"-heart`ed*ly, adv. -- Free"-heart`ed*ness, n.

Free"hold` (?), n. (LAw) An estate in real property, of inheritance (in fee simple or fee tail) or for life; or the tenure by which such estate is held. Kent. Burrill.

To abate into a freehold. See under Abate.