frank 1
— frankable , adj. — franker , n.
/frangk/ , adj., franker, frankest , n. , v.
adj.
1. direct and unreserved in speech; straightforward; sincere: Her criticism of my work was frank but absolutely fair.
2. without inhibition or subterfuge; direct; undisguised: a frank appeal for financial aid.
3. Pathol. unmistakable; clinically evident: frank blood.
4. Archaic. liberal or generous.
5. Obs. free.
n.
6. a signature or mark affixed by special privilege to a letter, package, or the like to ensure its transmission free of charge, as by mail.
7. the privilege of franking letters, packages, etc.
8. a franked letter, package, etc.
v.t.
9. to mark (a letter, package, etc.) for transmission free of the usual charge, by virtue of official or special privilege; send free of charge, as mail.
10. to convey (a person) free of charge.
11. to enable to pass or go freely: to frank a visitor through customs.
12. to facilitate the comings and goings of (a person), esp. in society: A sizable inheritance will frank you faster than anything else.
13. to secure exemption for.
14. Carpentry. to assemble (millwork, as sash bars) with a miter joint through the moldings and a butt joint or mortise-and-tenon joint for the rest.
[ 1250-1300; ME franc francus free, orig. FRANK ]
Syn. 1. unrestrained, free, bold, uninhibited. FRANK, CANDID, OPEN, OUTSPOKEN imply a freedom and boldness in speaking. FRANK is applied to one unreserved in expressing the truth and to one's real opinions and sentiments: a frank analysis of a personal problem. CANDID suggests that one is sincere and truthful or impartial and fair in judgment, sometimes unpleasantly so: a candid expression of opinion. OPEN implies a lack of reserve or of concealment: open antagonism. OUTSPOKEN applies to a person who expresses himself or herself freely, even when this is inappropriate: an outspoken and unnecessary show of disapproval.
Ant. 1. restrained.
frank 2
/frangk/ , n. Informal.
frankfurter.
[ 1900-05, Amer.; by shortening ]