frank

See also: Frank

English

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /fɹæŋk/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -æŋk
  • Homophones: franc, Frank

Etymology 1

From Old French franc (free), in turn from the name of an early Germanic confederation, the Franks.

Adjective

frank (comparative franker, superlative frankest)

  1. honest, especially in a manner that seems slightly blunt; candid; not reserved or disguised.
    May I be frank with you?
  2. (medicine) unmistakable, clinically obvious, self-evident
    The research probes whether treating pre-diabetes with metformin can prevent progression to frank diabetes.
  3. (obsolete) Unbounded by restrictions, limitations, etc.; free.
    • Spenser
      It is of frank gift.
  4. (obsolete) Liberal; generous; profuse.
    • L'Estrange
      Frank of civilities that cost them nothing.
  5. (obsolete, derogatory) Unrestrained; loose; licentious.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Spenser to this entry?)
Translations

Noun

frank (plural franks)

  1. (uncountable) Free postage, a right exercised by governments (usually with definite article).
    • Cowper
      I have said so much, that, if I had not a frank, I must burn my letter and begin again.
  2. (countable) The notice on an envelope where a stamp would normally be found.

Verb

US franking mark

frank (third-person singular simple present franks, present participle franking, simple past and past participle franked)

  1. To place a frank on an envelope.
    • 1811, Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, chapter 20
      It will be so ridiculous to see all his letters directed to him with an M.P.—But do you know, he says, he will never frank for me?
  2. To exempt from charge for postage, as a letter, package, or packet, etc.
  3. To send by public conveyance free of expense.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Charles Dickens to this entry?)

Translations

Etymology 2

Shortened form of frankfurter.

A frank on a bun.

Noun

frank (plural franks)

  1. A hot dog or sausage.
    Synonyms: frankfurt, frankfurter
    Buy a package of franks for the barbecue.
  • cocktail frank
See also

Etymology 3

Noun

frank (plural franks)

  1. (Britain) The grey heron.

Etymology 4

From Old French franc.

Noun

frank (plural franks)

  1. A pigsty.

Verb

frank (third-person singular simple present franks, present participle franking, simple past and past participle franked)

  1. To shut up in a frank or sty; to pen up; hence, to cram; to fatten.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Shakespeare to this entry?)

Czech

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): [ˈfraŋk]
  • Rhymes: -aŋk

Noun

frank m

  1. franc (former currency of France and some other countries)
  2. franc (any of several units of currency such as Swiss franc)

Further reading

  • frank in Příruční slovník jazyka českého, 1935–1957
  • frank in Slovník spisovného jazyka českého, 1960–1971, 1989

Estonian

Etymology

Noun

frank (genitive [please provide], partitive [please provide])

  1. franc

Declension

This noun needs an inflection-table template.


German

Etymology

From Middle High German franc, from Old French franc (free), of Germanic but eventually uncertain origin.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /fʁaŋk/
  • (file)

Adjective

frank (not comparable)

  1. (archaic) frank

Usage notes

  • Now almost exclusively used in the (also somewhat dated) expression frank und frei.

Declension

Further reading


Polish

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /frank/
  • (file)

Noun

frank m anim

  1. franc

Usage notes

Unqualified modern usage typically refers to the Swiss franc.

Declension

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