Frank (?), n. [OF. franc.]
A pigsty. [Obs.]
Frank, v. t. To shut up in a frank
or sty; to pen up; hence, to cram; to fatten. [Obs.]
Shak.
Frank, n. (Zoöl.) The
common heron; -- so called from its note. [Prov. Eng.]
Frank (?), 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.
2. Free in uttering one's real sentiments;
not reserved; using no disguise; candid; ingenuous; as, a
frank nature, conversation, manner, etc.
3. Liberal; generous; profuse.
[Obs.]
Frank of civilities that cost them
nothing.
L'Estrange.
4. Unrestrained; loose; licentious; -- used
in a bad sense. Spenser.
Syn. -- Ingenuous; candid; artless; plain; open;
unreserved; undisguised; sincere. See Candid,
Ingenuous.
Frank (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Franked (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Franking.] 1. To send by public
conveyance free of expense. Dickens.
2. To extempt from charge for postage, as a
letter, package, or packet, etc.
Frank, 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
free of postage.
I have said so much, that, if I had not a
frank, I must burn my letter and begin again.
Cowper.Frank, 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.
2. A native or inhabitant of Western Europe;
a European; -- a term used in the Levant.
3. A French coin. See Franc.