| free | (fr<emac/), a. [Compar. Freer (-<etil/r); superl. Freest (-<ecr/st).] [OE. fre, freo, AS. fre, fr; akin to D. vrij, OS. & OHG. fr, G. frei, Icel. fr, Sw. & Dan. fri, Goth. freis, and also to Skr. prija beloved, dear, fr. pr to love, Goth. frij<omac/n. Cf. Affray, Belfry, Friday, Friend, Frith inclosure.] 1.
Exempt from subjection to the will of others; not under restraint, control, or compulsion; able to follow one's own impulses, desires, or inclinations; determining one's own course of action; not dependent; at liberty.
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-That which has the power, or not the power, to operate, is that alone which is or is not free. Locke.
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2.
Not under an arbitrary or despotic government; subject only to fixed laws regularly and fairly administered, and defended by them from encroachments upon natural or acquired rights; enjoying political liberty.
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3.
Liberated, by arriving at a certain age, from the control of parents, guardian, or master.
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4.
Not confined or imprisoned; released from arrest; liberated; at liberty to go.
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-Set an unhappy prisoner free. Prior.
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5.
Not subjected to the laws of physical necessity; capable of voluntary activity; endowed with moral liberty; -- said of the will.
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-Not free, what proof could they have given sincere |
| free | , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Freed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Freeing.] [OE. freen, freoien, AS. fregan. See Free, a.] 1.
To make free; to set at liberty; to rid of that which confines, limits, embarrasses, oppresses, etc.; to release; to disengage; to clear; -- followed by from, and sometimes by off; as, to free a captive or a slave; to be freed of these inconveniences. Clarendon.
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-Our land is from the rage of tigers freed. Dryden.
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-Arise, . . . free thy people from their yoke. Milton.
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2.
To remove, as something that confines or bars; to relieve from the constraint of.
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-This master key |
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