freedom (fredum)

[ St. August in against Pelagius; and in a later age was disputed between Arminians and Calvinists: being for centuries a capital controversy both in Theology and in Metaphysics. A. Bain, Emotions and Will, p. 498. (b) Exemption from arbitrary, despotic, or autocratic control, especially in civil matters; independence; civil liberty. IMG:content-1821.png:[ocr errors] A! fredome is a nobill thing! Fredome mayse man to haiff liking!.. He levys at ese that frely livys. Barbour , Bruce. If you deny it, let the danger light Upon your charter, and your city's freedom . Shak., M. of V., iv. L. Grant him this, and the Par lament hath no more free- dom then if it sate in his Noose. Milton , Eikon ok las tes, xxvii. By a declaration of rights, I mean one which shall stipulate freedom of religion, freedom of the pre , freedom of commerce against monopolies, trial by juries in all cases, no suspensions of the habeas corpus, no standing armies. These are fetters against doing evil which no Jefferson, Correspondence, II. 291. honest government should decline. IMG:content-1822.png:[blocks in formation] Those best can bear reproof who merit praise. 'Twere well might critics still this freedom take. Pope, E ay on Criticism, 1. 584. [a ured] him that Mr. Darcy would consider his addre ing him without introduction as an impertinent freedom . Jane Austen , Pride and Prejudice, p. 84. (e) The state of being clear or exempt (from something): as, freedom from sickne : freedom from care. (f) Ease or facility (of doing anything): as, he speaks or acts with freedom. I always loved you for the Freedom of your Genius. Howell , Letters, I. vi. 56. A poet's just pretence Fervency, freedom , fluency of thought- Harmony, strength, words exquisitely sought. Cowper, Table-Talk, 1. 700. (gt) Generosity; liberality; open-handedne . Chaucer. Blithe was eche a barn ho best migt him plese, & folwe him for his fredom & for his faire thewes. For what thing William wan a-day with his bowe.. Ne wold this William neuer on withhold to him-selue. William of Palerne (E. E. T. 8.), 1. 189. 2. The po e ion of particular privileges; franchise; immunity: as, the freedom of a city or of a corporation. It was lately proposed in the city to present him [the Walpole, Letters, II. 43. Duke of Hamilton] with the freedom of some company. 3. A free, unconditional grant; a free privi- lege or franchise. [Rare.] -4. In math . , ca- pability of displacement in space. - Bird of free- dom. See bird 1.- Degree of freedom, in math ., an independent mode in which a body may be displaced. Thus, a wheel the axis of which is fixed, or a roller which is compelled to roll on the ground without sliding or turn- ing, has but one degree of freedom - that is, it can move only forward or back. If it can turn without sliding, or slide without turning, either in the direction of its rolling or in that of its axis, it has two degrees of freedom: if it is capable of all these motions, it has four degrees of free- dom. If one end of it can rise above the surface of the ground, it has five; if both ends can leave the ground, it has six degrees of freedom and is perfectly free. - Free- dom of repealt, a free, unconditional recall. I ki thy hand, but not in flattery, Cæsar; Desiring thee that Publius Cimber may Have an immediate freedom of repeal. Shak., J. C., iii. 1. Freedom of the will. See will. = Syn. 1. Freedom, Liberty, Independence; scope, range, play, swing, latitude. The first three words are sometimes used as synonymous, but they are clearly distinguishable. Freedom is the most general in its application. Liberty is commonly used where reference is made to past or po ible physical confinement or restriction: as, the prisoners were set at liberty. Freedom is used where emphasis is laid upon freedom large opportunity given for the exercise of one's powers: as, the freedom of country life; or where the previous or po ible restriction has been or is legal or moral: as, the slave was given his freedom; he expre ed his views with freedom. Liberty is more often public; freedom, personal and private. Liberty has more in mind protection from external constraint or from the aggre ions of power; hence, in civil affairs, liberty is freedom as outlined and protected by law. Independence is more exact, expre ing self-direction exemption from control, even lack of connection. There may be liberty without independence, as in the case of a self-governed colony, and there may be independence without liberty, as in the case of a despotic monarchy. Ye winds, that wafted the Pilgrims to the land of prom 2369 My heart's good freehold , sir, and so you'll find it. Beau, and Fl . , Wit without Money, ii. 4. All the authorities speak of fellowships in colleges as freeholds. D. Webster , Speech, March 10, 1818. freemasonic 3. Without reluctance or niggardline ; will- ingly. Customary freehold. See customary . freeholder (frē ́hōl dér), n. [ freehold + -er1 . ] In law , one having the present seizin or pos- se ion of land by virtue of an estate greater 4. Liberally; unstintedly; plentifully. Also the Dyamand scholde ben zoven [given] frely , with outen coveytynge and with outen byggynge: and than it is of grettere vertue. Mandeville, Travels, p. 159. Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell. Milton , P. L., iii. 102. than one limited by a specified time-that is to say, having a fee or a tenancy for life of the tenant, or for life of a third person; one who holds an estate in fee simple or fee tail. See Speak, speak, marble lips! teach us the love of lib erty protected by law. Everett, Eulogy of Lafayette. This is got by casting pearl to hogs; That bawl for freedom in their sensele mood, And still revolt when truth would set them free. License they mean when they cry liberty ; For who loves that, must first be wise and good. Milton , Sonnets, vii. Individuals entering into a society must give up a share of their liberty to preserve the rest. Washington, The independence and liberty you po e are the work of joint counsels and joint efforts. Washington, Farewell Addre .