franklin

See also: Franklin and Franklín

English

Etymology

From Middle English frankelein (“freeholder”), from Anglo-Norman fraunclein (“a landowner of free, but not noble birth”), from Old French fraunc (“free”), from Frankish *frankō (“Frank”, literally “freeman”) + Old French -lein (“-ling”), from Frankish *-ling (“-ling”). More at frank, -ling.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈfɹæŋk.lɪn/

• Audio (US)

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Noun

franklin (plural franklins)

1. (historical) A freeholder, especially as belonging to a class of landowners in the 14th and 15th century ranking at the bottom of the gentry.