In the 16th century, Turkish women could divorce their husbands if the man failed to keep his family’s pot filled with coffee.
FRANKING
Noun
franking (countable and uncountable, plural frankings)
(countable) A device or marking such as postage stamp, printed or stamped impressions, codings, labels, manuscript writings, or any other authorized form of markings affixed or applied to mails to qualify them to be postally serviced.
(AU, finance, uncountable) A corporate tax system in which some or all of the tax paid by a company may be attributed, or imputed, to the shareholders by way of a tax credit to reduce the income tax payable on a distribution.
Verb
franking
present participle of frank
Source: Wiktionary
Frank"ing, n. (Carp.)
Definition: A method of forming a joint at the intersection of window-sash bars, by cutting away only enough wood to show a miter.
FRANK
Frank, n. Etym: [OF. franc.]
Definition: A pigsty. [Obs.]
Frank, v. t.
Definition: To shut up in a frank or sty; to pen up; hence, to cram; to fatten. [Obs.] Shak.
Frank, n. (Zoöl.)
Definition: The common heron; -- so called from its note. [Prov. Eng.]
Frank, a. [Compar Franker; superl. Frankest.] Etym: [F. franc free, frank, L. Francus a Frank, fr. OHG. Franko the name of a Germanic people on the Rhine, who afterward founded the French monarchy; cf. AS. franca javelin, Icel. frakka. Cf. Franc, French, a., Franchise, n.]
1. Unbounded by restrictions, limitations, etc.; free. [R.] "It is of frank gift." Spenser.
2. Free in uttering one's real sentiments; not reserved; using no disguise; candid; ingenuous; as, a frank nature, conversation, manner, etc.
3. Liberal; generous; profuse. [Obs.] Frank of civilities that cost them nothing. L'Estrange.
4. Unrestrained; loose; licentious; -- used in a bad sense. Spenser.
Syn.
– Ingenuous; candid; artless; plain; open; unreserved; undisguised; sincere. See Candid, Ingenuous.
Frank, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Franked; p. pr. & vb. n. Franking.]
1. To send by public conveyance free of expense. Dickens.
2. To extempt from charge for postage, as a letter, package, or packet, etc.
Frank, n. Etym: [See Frank, a.]
Definition: The privilege of sending letters or other mail matter, free of postage, or without charge; also, the sign, mark, or signature denoting that a letter or other mail matter is to free of postage. I have said so much, that, if I had not a frank, I must burn my letter and begin again. Cowper.
Frank, n. Etym: [Cf. F. franc. See Frank, a.]
1. (Ethnol.)
Definition: A member of one of the German tribes that in the fifth century overran and conquered Gaul, and established the kingdom of France.
2. A native or inhabitant of Western Europe; a European; -- a term used in the Levant.
3. A French coin. See Franc.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
12 January 2025
HABIT
(noun) (psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition; “owls have nocturnal habits”; “she had a habit twirling the ends of her hair”; “long use had hardened him to it”
Coffee Trivia
