frank

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frank †free XIII; bounteous, generous; †of superior quality XV; ingenuous, candid XVI. — (O)F. franc :- medL. francus free, indentical with the ethnic name (see FRANK), which acquired the sense ‘free’ because in Frankish Gaul full freedom was possessed only by those belonging to or adopted by the dominant people.
Hence (from the sense †‘free of charge’ of the adj.) vb. superscribe (a letter, etc.) with one's signature to ensure free conveyance, (hence) stamp XVIII; facilitate the passage of XIX.

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