n.
Pronunciation: ' fran- ˌ ch ī z
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from franchir to free, from franc free ― more at FRANK
Date: 14th century
1 : freedom or immunity from some burden or restriction vested in a person or group
2 a : a special privilege granted to an individual or group especially : the right to be and exercise the powers of a corporation b : a constitutional or statutory right or privilege especially : the right to vote c (1) : the right or license granted to an individual or group to market a company's goods or services in a particular territory also : a business granted such a right or license (2) : the territory involved in such a right
3 a : the right of membership in a professional sports league b : a team and its operating organization having such membership