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Webster 1913 Edition


Freely

Free′ly

,
adv.
[AS.
freólice
.]
In a free manner; without restraint or compulsion; abundantly; gratuitously.
Of every tree of the garden thou mayst
freely
eat.
Gen. ii. 16.
Freely
ye have received,
freely
give.
Matt. x. 8.
Freely
they stood who stood, and fell who fell.
Milton.
Syn. – Independently; voluntarily; spontaneously; unconditionally; unobstructedly; willingly; readily; liberally; generously; bounteously; munificently; bountifully; abundantly; largely; copiously; plentifully; plenteously.

Webster 1828 Edition


Freely

FREE'LY

, adv.
1.
At liberty; without vassalage, slavery or dependence.
2.
Without restraint, constraint or compulsion; voluntarily. To render a moral agent accountable, he must act freely.
3.
Plentifully; in abundance; as, to eat or drink freely.
4.
Without scruple or reserve; as, to censure freely.
5.
Without impediment or hinderance.
Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat. Gen. 2.
6.
Without necessity, or compulsion from divine predetermination.
Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell.
7.
Without obstruction; largely; copiously. The patient bled freely.
8.
Spontaneously; without constraint or persuasion.
9.
Liberally; generously; as, to give freely to the poor.
10.
Gratuitously; of free will or grace, with out purchase or consideration.
Freely ye have received, freely give. Matt. 10.

Definition 2024


freely

freely

English

Alternative forms

  • frely (Scotland)

Adjective

freely (comparative freelier or more freely, superlative freeliest or most freely)

  1. Free; frank.
  2. Generous; noble; excellent; beautiful; lovely.
Derived terms

Etymology 2

From Middle English frely, freliche, from Old English frēolīċe (freely, readily, as a festival), equivalent to free + -ly. Compare Dutch vrijelijk (freely), German freilich (certainly, of course).

Adverb

freely (comparative freelier or more freely, superlative freeliest or most freely)

  1. In a free manner.
    Wine was flowing freely.
  2. Without interference or restriction.
  3. Of one's own free will.
    I will freely help you.
Related terms
Translations