Dictionary

befree en · VERB

Etymology

From Middle English *befreen, *bifreen, from Old English befrēoġan (“to free, liberate”); equivalent to be- + free. Cognate with West Frisian befrije (“to liberate”), Dutch bevrijden (“to liberate, deliver”), German befreien (“to set free, liberate”), Swedish befria (“to liberate, free, deliver”).

Meanings

1. (dated, transitive) To make or set free; liberate; deliver; release.
   • Such is the fascinating future for Russia in the event of the establishment and welding of the befreed Russian Nation into a strong and firm democratic State. 1917, Massachusetts. Constitutional convention, Journal...:
   • They helped rather the big industrialists than to befree the poors from the yoke of the money-lenders. 1975, Asia Institute, Asian perspectives, Hague, Netherlands:

Forms