Middle English Dictionary Entry
frē̆k adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | frē̆k adj. Also frekke, freike, fræc. Comp. frek(k)er, sup. frekkest. |
| Etymology | OE frec (corresp. to OHG freh) & fræc. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. frecche & frike.
1.
(a) Eager (to do something), zealous; (b) bold, brave, fierce; (c) ?greedy; (d) quick, fast.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)5198 : Þat first for eild moght noght spek, To bidd has now es nan sa frek [Frf: freke].
- a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9)1/13 : Þe Franche men war frek to fare Ogaines him with scheld and spere.
- a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9)12/54 : Doghty men..Þat war ful frek to fight.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)9862 : The grekes..were frekir to þe fight þen at the first tyme.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)5521 : He makis to hinge ouir þaire hede in hokis of iren Flesch..To make þaim freke to þe fliȝt þat fode for to wyn.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)4441 : He was freke his name to frayne.
b
- a1425(c1300) NHom.(1) Peter & P.(Ashm 42)78/208 : On Symounde So frek was þat vncely hounde, Þat he him filchid felli.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)1536 : We hafe foughten..With þe frekkeste folke that to þi foo langez.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2139 : Bot they fitt them fayre, thes frekk byernez.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3302 : I was frekke in my faithe..Famows in ferre londis.
- a1450(?a1390) Mirk Fest.Suppl.(Cld A.2)292/2 : For þis olde man plesud not hure..scheo toke anothur freke knyte.
- c1450(?a1400) Siege Milan (Add 31042)1223 : Was neuer ȝitt frekkere men to fighte Sene in hethynnesse.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)9462 : The freke hym defendit with a freike wille.
c
- c1225(OE) Wor.Aelfric Gloss.(Wor F.174)553 : Ambro: fræc.
d
- a1500 Degrev.(Cmb Ff.1.6)1381 : Frek as fuyre in þe flynt, He in armes had hyr hynt.