n. hist. a landowner of free but not noble birth in the 14th and 15th c. in England.
[ ME francoleyn etc. f. AL francalanus f. francalis held without dues f. francus free: see FRANK ]
n. hist. a landowner of free but not noble birth in the 14th and 15th c. in England.
[ ME francoleyn etc. f. AL francalanus f. francalis held without dues f. francus free: see FRANK ]
Concise Oxford English dictionary. Краткий оксфордский словарь английского языка. 2012