Dictionary

unfree en · ADJ

Etymology

From Middle English unfre, from Old English [Term?], from Proto-West Germanic *unfrī; cognates include Middle High German unfrī (German unfrei), Middle Low German unvrī, Middle Dutch onvri (Dutch onvrij). By surface analysis, un- + free.

Meanings

1. Not free; lacking freedom, especially (historical) of a tenant who was bound to a manor.
   • Economically free countries enjoy decentralized power, whereas the power in economically unfree countries is centralized. 2006, James R. Otteson, Actual Ethics, page 17:
   • By the time of the Nibelungenlied the word was used to denote a wide variety of usually ecclesiastic or royal administrators, from the lowest, unfree ministerial to an enfeoffed judge. 2002, Francis G. Gentry, The Nibelungen Tradition, page 142:

Forms

Deriveds

unfreeness · unfreely

Relateds

nonfree

Translations (2)

mr अमुक्त (not free) · grc ἀνελεύθερος (not free)

unfree en · NOUN

Etymology

From Middle English unfre, from Old English [Term?], from Proto-West Germanic *unfrī; cognates include Middle High German unfrī (German unfrei), Middle Low German unvrī, Middle Dutch onvri (Dutch onvrij). By surface analysis, un- + free.

Meanings

1. (historical) A person lacking freedom, such as a tenant bound to a manor.
   • The commissioners then proceeded to consider the various petitions and remonstrances of the unfrees, and to determine the amount to be levied from each. 1863, James Paterson, History of the Counties of Ayr and Wigton (parts 1-2, page ccviii)

Forms