n. [ Cf. F. franc. See Frank, a. ] 1. (Ethnol.) A member of one of the German tribes that in the fifth century overran and conquered Gaul, and established the kingdom of France. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A native or inhabitant of Western Europe; a European; -- a term used in the Levant. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A French coin. See Franc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Frank, a. ] The privilege of sending letters or other mail matter, free of postage, or without charge; also, the sign, mark, or signature denoting that a letter or other mail matter is to go free of postage. Called also the franking privilege. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

I have said so much, that, if I had not a frank, I must burn my letter and begin again. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. franc. ] A pigsty. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) The common heron; -- so called from its note. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To shut up in a frank or sty; to pen up; hence, to cram; to fatten. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Compar. franker superl. frankest. ] [ F. franc free, frank, L. Francus a Frank, fr. OHG. Franko the name of a Germanic people on the Rhine, who afterward founded the French monarchy; cf. AS. franca javelin, Icel. frakka. Cf. Franc, French, a., Franchise, n. ] 1. Unbounded by restrictions, limitations, etc.; free. [ R. ] “It is of frank gift.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Free in uttering one's real sentiments; not reserved; using no disguise; candid; ingenuous; as, a frank nature, conversation, manner, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Liberal; generous; profuse. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Frank of civilities that cost them nothing. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Unrestrained; loose; licentious; -- used in a bad sense. Spenser.

Syn. -- Ingenuous; candid; artless; plain; open; unreserved; undisguised; sincere. See Candid, Ingenuous. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. franked p. pr. & vb. n. franking. ] 1. To send by public conveyance free of expense. Dickens. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To extempt from charge for postage, as a letter, package, or packet, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. franc free + Norm. F. almoigne alma, for almosne, F. aumône. See Frank, a., and Almoner. ] (Eng. Law) A tenure by which a religious corporation holds lands given to them and their successors forever, usually on condition of praying for the soul of the donor and his heirs; -- called also tenure by free alms. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Frank free + chase. ] (Eng. Law) The liberty or franchise of having a chase; free chase. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Frank free + fee. ] (Eng. Law) A species of tenure in fee simple, being the opposite of ancient demesne, or copyhold. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]