Frank | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Fränk, a.

adjective

a. [compar. FRANKER; superl. FRANKEST.] [Fr. & Pr. franc, Sp., Pg., & It. franco, Ger. frank, D. frank, Lat. Francus, a Frank, O. H. Ger. Franke, A.-S. Francam, pl., Icel. Frankar, pl. Frackr, s., which seems derived from Goth. as if fraggs, Icel. frackr, equivalent to Goth. freis, Icel. fri, free. Cf. FRANC and FREE.]

Unbounded by restrictions, limitations, or the like; free. [Rare.] L’Estrange.
Free in uttering real sentiments; not reserved; using no disguise; candid; open; ingenuous.
Liberal; generous; not mean or niggardly. [Obs.] Bacon.
Unrestrained; loose; licentious;—used in a bad sense. Spencer.

Syn.—Ingenuous; candid; artless; plain; open; unreserved; undisguised; sincere. See INGENUOUS.

Frānk, v. t.

verbtransitive

[imp. & p. p. FRANKED (frāŋkt); p. pr. & vb. n. FRANKING.]

To send by public conveyance free of expense; as, to frank a person to London. Dickens.
To exempt from charge for postage, as a letter, packet, &c.

Frānk, n.

noun

n. [See FRANK, a.] A letter free of postage, or of charge for sending by mail; also, that which makes a letter free, as the signature of a person possessing the privilege.

I have said so much, that, if I had not a frank, I must burn my letter and begin again. Cowper.

Frănk, n.

noun

[O. Fr. franc.] A sty for swine; a pig-sty; a hogpen. [Obs.] Shak.

Frănk, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. To shut up in a frank or sty; to pen up; hence, to cram; to fatten. Shak.

Frānk, n.

noun

n. [See FRANC.] 1. One of the German tribes inhabiting Franconia, who in the fifth century overran and conquered Gaul, and established the kingdom of France.

Sense 2. An inhabitant of Western Europe; a European;—a term used in the East.

Sense 3. A certain French coin; a franc.