franklin Hear it!

franklin definition

frank·lin (fraŋk′lin)

noun

a freeholder; specif., in England in the 14th-15th cent., a landowner of free but not noble birth, ranking just below the gentry

Etymology: ME frankelein < Anglo-Fr fraunkelain < ML francelengus < francus (see frank) + Gmc *-ling (see -ling)

Franklin1 definition

Frank·lin (fraŋk′lin)

noun

a masculine name

Etymology: see franklin

Franklin2 definition

Frank·lin (fraŋk′lin)

  1. Franklin, Benjamin 1706-90; Am. statesman, scientist, inventor, & writer
  2. Franklin, Sir John 1786-1847; Eng. arctic explorer
Franklin3 definition

Frank·lin (fraŋk′lin)

former district of the Northwest Territories, Canada

Etymology: see franklin

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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