Dictionary
free
Pronunciation: (frē), [key]
—adj., fre•er, fre•est,
—adv., v., freed, free•ing.
—
adj.
1. enjoying personal rights or liberty, as a person who is not in slavery:
a land of free people.
2. pertaining to or reserved for those who enjoy personal liberty:
They were thankful to be living on free soil.
3. existing under, characterized by, or possessing civil and political liberties that are, as a rule, constitutionally guaranteed by representative government:
the free nations of the world.
4. enjoying political autonomy, as a people or country not under foreign rule; independent.
5. exempt from external authority, interference, restriction, etc., as a person or one's will, thought, choice, action, etc.; independent; unrestricted.
6. able to do something at will; at liberty:
free to choose.
7. clear of obstructions or obstacles, as a road or corridor:
The highway is now free of fallen rock.
8. not occupied or in use:
I'll try to phone her again if the line is free.
9. exempt or released from something specified that controls, restrains, burdens, etc. (usually fol. by
from or
of):
free from worry; free of taxes.
10. having immunity or being safe (usually fol. by
from):
free from danger.
11. provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment:
free parking; a free sample.
12. given without consideration of a return or reward:
a free offer of legal advice.
13. unimpeded, as motion or movement; easy, firm, or swift.
14. not held fast; loose; unattached:
to get one's arm free.
15. not joined to or in contact with something else:
The free end of the cantilever sagged.
16. acting without self-restraint or reserve:
to be too free with one's tongue.
17. ready or generous in giving; liberal; lavish:
to be free with one's advice.
18. given readily or in profusion; unstinted.
19. frank and open; unconstrained, unceremonious, or familiar.
20. unrestrained by decency; loose or licentious:
free behavior.
21. not subject to special regulations, restrictions, duties, etc.:
The ship was given free passage.
22. of, pertaining to, or characterized by free enterprise:
a free economy.
23. that may be used by or is open to all:
a free market.
24. engaged in by all present; general:
a free fight.
25. not literal, as a translation, adaptation, or the like; loose.
26. uncombined chemically:
free oxygen.
27. traveling without power; under no force except that of gravity or inertia:
free flight.
28. Phonet.(of a vowel) situated in an open syllable (opposed to
checked).
29. at liberty to enter and enjoy at will (usually fol. by
of):
to be free of a friend's house.
30. not subject to rules, set forms, etc.:
The young students had an hour of free play between classes.
31. easily worked, as stone, land, etc.
32. Math.(of a vector) having specified magnitude and direction but no specified initial point. Cf.
bound1 (def. 9).
33. Also,large. Naut.(of a wind) nearly on the quarter, so that a sailing vessel may sail free.
34. not containing a specified substance (often used in combination):
a sugar-free soft drink.
35. (of a linguistic form) occurring as an independent construction, without necessary combination with other forms, as most words. Cf.
bound1 (def. 11).
36. for free, Informal.without charge:
The tailor mended my jacket for free.
37. free and clear, Law.without any encumbrance, as a lien or mortgage:
They owned their house free and clear.
38. free and easy,
a. unrestrained; casual; informal.
b. excessively or inappropriately casual; presumptuous.
39. set free, to release; liberate; free:
The prisoners were set free.
40. with a free hand, generously; freely; openhandedly:
He entertains visitors with a free hand.
41. without cost, payment, or charge.
—
adv.
1. in a free manner; freely.
2. Naut.away from the wind, so that a sailing vessel need not be close-hauled:
running free.
3. make free with,
a. to use as one's own; help oneself to:
If you make free with their liquor, you won't be invited again.
b. to treat with too much familiarity; take liberties with.
—
v.t.
1. to make free; set at liberty; release from bondage, imprisonment, or restraint.
2. to exempt or deliver (usually fol. by
from).
3. to relieve or rid (usually fol. by
of):
to free oneself of responsibility.
4. to disengage; clear (usually fol. by
from or
of).
5. free up,
a. to release, as from restrictions:
Congress voted to free up funds for the new highway system.
b. to disentangle:
It took an hour to free up the traffic jam. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
