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—freeness, n.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).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.42. in a free manner; freely.43. Naut. away from the wind, so that a sailing vessel need not be close-hauled: running free.44. 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.45. to make free; set at liberty; release from bondage, imprisonment, or restraint.46. to exempt or deliver (usually fol. by from).47. to relieve or rid (usually fol. by of): to free oneself of responsibility.48. to disengage; clear (usually fol. by from or of).49. 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.[bef. 900; ME fre, OE freo; c. Goth freis, OHG fri (G frei), D vrij, Skt priyá- dear. Cf. FRIEND, FRIDAY]
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(as used in expressions)free enterprise systemfree market economyFree Territory of Triestefree tailed batfree trade zoneLatin American Free Trade Association LAFTA* * *
Universalium. 2010.