/fɹæŋk/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation) without æ-raising
/fɾaŋk/ (Scotland, Wales)
/fɹeɪ̯ŋk/ US, Canada, æ-raising
Etymology
From Middle English frank, from Old French franc (“free”), in turn from the name of an early Germanic confederation, the Franks, from Proto-West Germanic *frankō (“javelin, spear”). Doublet of Frank, franc, and farang.
Meanings
Honest, especially in a manner that seems slightly blunt; candid; not reserved or disguised.
May I be frank with you?
Unmistakable, clinically obvious, self-evident.
The research probes whether treating pre-diabetes with metformin can prevent progression to frank diabetes.
(obsolete) Unbounded by restrictions, limitations, etc.; free.
It is of frank gift. 1591, Ed[mund] Sp[enser], “Prosopopoia. Or Mother Hubberds Tale.”, in Complaints. Containing Sundrie Small Poemes of the Worlds Vanitie. […], London: […] William Ponsonbie, […], →OCLC:
(obsolete) Liberal; generous; profuse.
Frank of Civilities that cost them nothing. 1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC:
Over the fields, in his franke lustinesse,
And all the champain o're he soared light. 1591, Ed[mund] Sp[enser], “Muiopotmos, or The Fate of the Butterflie”, in Complaints. Containing Sundrie Small Poemes of the Worlds Vanitie. […], London: […] William Ponsonbie, […], →OCLC:
/fɹæŋk/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation) without æ-raising
/fɾaŋk/ (Scotland, Wales)
/fɹeɪ̯ŋk/ US, Canada, æ-raising
Etymology
From Middle English frank, from Old French franc (“free”), in turn from the name of an early Germanic confederation, the Franks, from Proto-West Germanic *frankō (“javelin, spear”). Doublet of Frank, franc, and farang.
Meanings
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.
The notice on an envelope where a stamp would normally be found.
But, although her friends were kind, Lady Anne was not easy; neither daughter made her appearance, nor did she receive a letter to account for their silence. She remembered, indeed, that Charles Penrhyn could not get franks now, and her daughters knew she would not pay postage; and she had commanded Helen to work night and day, saying, "surely they can give her common materials." 1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], “(please specify the page)”, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, pages 178–179:
/fɹæŋk/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation) without æ-raising
/fɾaŋk/ (Scotland, Wales)
/fɹeɪ̯ŋk/ US, Canada, æ-raising
Etymology
From Middle English frank, from Old French franc (“free”), in turn from the name of an early Germanic confederation, the Franks, from Proto-West Germanic *frankō (“javelin, spear”). Doublet of Frank, franc, and farang.
Meanings
(transitive) 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? 1811, [Jane Austen], chapter 20, in Sense and Sensibility […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: […] C[harles] Roworth, […], and published by T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC:
(transitive) To exempt from charge for postage, as a letter, package, or packet, etc.
(transitive) To send by public conveyance free of expense.
1850-1859, Charles Dickens, Household Words
This required extensive correspondence; so, in the next place, the privilege of franking letters in reference to the emigrants' registration office, was obtained—much to the indignation of red tapists.
hu bérmentesít (to place a frank on an envelope) · sv frankera (to place a frank on an envelope) · de frankieren (to place a frank on an envelope) · mi tāpane (to place a frank on an envelope) · nl frankeren (to place a frank on an envelope) · no free postage (to place a frank on an envelope) · eo afranki (to place a frank on an envelope) · fi frankeerata (to place a frank on an envelope) · gl franquear (to place a frank on an envelope) · de freimachen (to place a frank on an envelope)
/fɹæŋk/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation) without æ-raising
/fɾaŋk/ (Scotland, Wales)
/fɹeɪ̯ŋk/ US, Canada, æ-raising
Etymology
Clipping of frankfurter.
Meanings
A hot dog or sausage.
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! 1978, Superman: The Movie, spoken by Perry White (Jackie Cooper):
Chicago has a major influence on flavored foods of the Midwest. It’s the home of deep dish-style pizza and the Italian beef sandwich. It’s also the home of the famous frank known as the Chicago-style hot dog. Based on a Vienna all-beef frank, this distinguished dog is typically steamed and served in a warm poppy seed bun topped with mustard, sweet pickle relish, chopped onion, tomato wedges or slices, sport peppers, and a dill pickle spear, then finished off with a dash of celery salt 2007, Becky Mercuri, The Great American Hot Dog Book: Recipes and Side Dishes from Across America, Gibbs Smith:
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. 1957 September 5, Jack Kerouac, chapter 1, in On the Road, New York, N.Y.: Viking Press, →OCLC, part 1:
I'm in my Flavmobile cold lamping. I took a G upstate cold camping. To the Poconos, we call a hideaways. A bag of franks and a bag of Frito-Lays. 1988 June 28, “Cold Lampin' With Flavor” (track 4), in It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, performed by Public Enemy:
/fɹæŋk/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation) without æ-raising
/fɾaŋk/ (Scotland, Wales)
/fɹeɪ̯ŋk/ US, Canada, æ-raising
Etymology
From Old French franc.
Meanings
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 c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:
Frank, or Franc, an ancient coin, either of gold or ſilver, ſtruck and current in France. The value of the gold frank was ſomewhat more than that of the gold crown; the ſilver frank was a third of the gold one; this coin is long out of uſe, though the term is ſtill retained as the name of a money of account; in which ſenſe it is equivalent to the livre, or twenty ſols. 1771, Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1st ed., Vol. II, p. 630