Middle English Dictionary Entry
frẹ̄ adv.
Entry Info
| Forms | frẹ̄ adv. |
| Etymology | From frẹ̄ adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Without hindrance, easily, readily; (b) ?safely; (c) ~ chesing, having freedom of the will.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400 Cursor (Göt Theol 107)5932 : Al þe erde þai couerd sua, A man miht noght fre sett his ta, Bath in hous and wid-vte.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)299 : To passe þys water fre, Þat may no ioyfol jueler.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)145a/b : Þai cese not euery day streynyng vnto þe corde go out free [L libera].
b
- c1390(c1350) NHom.(2) Corp.Chr.(Vrn)111 : Þer come non to londe freo Saue tweyne, Calef and Iosue.
c
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)13/10 : And for þese ij powers, a mannys soule is a resonable and a fre chesing soule.
2.
(a) Liberally, openhandedly; (b) willingly, gladly, eagerly; (c) without reservation, wholeheartedly.
Associated quotations
a
- a1275 Louerd asse þu ard (Trin-C B.14.39)37 : He þe blisse of paradis adam god þe ȝaf freo.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.3253 : Hire strengthe and beaute ben beset To every man aliche fre.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)657 : Riders a fewe, and haue o foote fele, Thei spende smal, and horsmen spende fre.
b
- a1325 Prov.Hend.(Cmb Gg 1.1)st.40 : Þe man þat metit his leve frende He doth also fre and hende To clepin and to kisse.
- c1330(?a1300) Tristrem (Auch)2730 : Ȝif þine houndes..comen oȝain to þe fre.
- a1400(c1303) Mannyng HS (Hrl 1701)7462 : Take..One of whom ȝoure loue wyl be, And ȝyueþ nat ȝoure bodyys to alle ylych fre.
- c1450 Treat.Fish.(Yale 171)22 : The trowyt ys a deyntet fyche & a fre bytyng.
c
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.1121 : He that is al holy youres free Hym recomaundeth..to youre grace.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)2379 : But, in love, fre yeven thing Requyrith a gret guerdonyng.
3.
Of the possessing of land: in free possession, in fee simple; of sovereignty: without restriction.
Associated quotations
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)45.169 : Agen in pocesciown [of the kingdom] to ben ful pleyn, And as fre owre owne..lyk as it now is.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)631/24 : He helde hit [the land] beste & freeste while þat hit was in his honde.