Free

During yesterday's church service we sang a couple of songs that pertained to being free or having freedom in Christ Jesus. Sometimes music ministers to me more than the message that's given. Anyhow, the word 'free' has been ringing in my spirit today and I took the time to see what dictionary.com had to say about the definition of the word 'free'. As, you can see, I have quite a bit to contemplate......

Free-
–adjective
1.enjoying personal rights or liberty, as a person who is not in slavery: a land of free people.
2.pertaining to or reserved for those who enjoy personal liberty: They were thankful to be living on free soil.
3.existing under, characterized by, or possessing civil and political liberties that are, as a rule, constitutionally guaranteed by representative government: the free nations of the world.
4.enjoying political autonomy, as a people or country not under foreign rule; independent.
5.exempt from external authority, interference, restriction, etc., as a person or one's will, thought, choice, action, etc.; independent; unrestricted.
6.able to do something at will; at liberty: free to choose.
7.clear of obstructions or obstacles, as a road or corridor: The highway is now free of fallen rock.
8.not occupied or in use: I'll try to phone her again if the line is free.
9.exempt or released from something specified that controls, restrains, burdens, etc. (usually fol. by from or of): free from worry; free of taxes.
10.having immunity or being safe (usually fol. by from): free from danger.
11.provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment: free parking; a free sample.
12.given without consideration of a return or reward: a free offer of legal advice.
13.unimpeded, as motion or movement; easy, firm, or swift.
14.not held fast; loose; unattached: to get one's arm free.
15.not joined to or in contact with something else: The free end of the cantilever sagged.
16.acting without self-restraint or reserve: to be too free with one's tongue.
17.ready or generous in giving; liberal; lavish: to be free with one's advice.
18.given readily or in profusion; unstinted.
19.frank and open; unconstrained, unceremonious, or familiar.
20.unrestrained by decency; loose or licentious: free behavior.
21.not subject to special regulations, restrictions, duties, etc.: The ship was given free passage.
22.of, pertaining to, or characterized by free enterprise: a free economy.
23.that may be used by or is open to all: a free market.
24.engaged in by all present; general: a free fight.
25.not literal, as a translation, adaptation, or the like; loose.
26.uncombined chemically: free oxygen.
27.traveling without power; under no force except that of gravity or inertia: free flight.
28.Phonetics. (of a vowel) situated in an open syllable (opposed to checked).
29.at liberty to enter and enjoy at will (usually fol. by of): to be free of a friend's house.
30.not subject to rules, set forms, etc.: The young students had an hour of free play between classes.
31.easily worked, as stone, land, etc.
32.Mathematics. (of a vector) having specified magnitude and direction but no specified initial point.Compare bound1 (def. 9).
33.Also, large. Nautical. (of a wind) nearly on the quarter, so that a sailing vessel may sail free.
34.not containing a specified substance (often used in combination): a sugar-free soft drink.
35.(of a linguistic form) occurring as an independent construction, without necessary combination with other forms, as most words. Compare bound1 (def. 11).
36.without cost, payment, or charge.
–adverb
37.in a free manner; freely.
38.Nautical. away from the wind, so that a sailing vessel need not be close-hauled: running free.
–verb (used with object)
39.to make free; set at liberty; release from bondage, imprisonment, or restraint.
40.to exempt or deliver (usually fol. by from).
41.to relieve or rid (usually fol. by of): to free oneself of responsibility.
42.to disengage; clear (usually fol. by from or of).
—Verb phrase
43.free up,
a.to release, as from restrictions: Congress voted to free up funds for the new highway system.
b.to disentangle: It took an hour to free up the traffic jam.
—Idioms
44.for free, Informal. without charge: The tailor mended my jacket for free.
45.free and clear, Law. without any encumbrance, as a lien or mortgage: They owned their house free and clear.
46.free and easy,
a.unrestrained; casual; informal.
b.excessively or inappropriately casual; presumptuous.
47.make free with,
a.to use as one's own; help oneself to: If you make free with their liquor, you won't be invited again.
b.to treat with too much familiarity; take liberties with.
48.set free, to release; liberate; free: The prisoners were set free.
49.with a free hand, generously; freely; openhandedly: He entertains visitors with a free hand.
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Origin:
bef. 900; ME fre, OE frēo; c. Goth freis, OHG frī (G frei), D vrij, Skt priyá- dear. Cf. friend, Friday

—Related forms
freeness, noun
o·ver·free, adjective
o·ver·free·ly, adverb
quasi-free, adjective
quasi-freely, adverb
un·free, verb (used with object),-freed, -free·ing, adjective
un·free·ly, adverb


—Synonyms
49. See release.