Freight

(frat.) [From Ger. fracht.) (Com.) The hire of a ship, or of a part of it, for the transportation of goods from one place to another; or the sum agreed on between the owner and the merchant or agent for the hire and use of a ve el. In a more extended sense, F. signifies the burden of such ship. F. being the return made for the conveyance of goods, ., to a particular destination, no claim arises for its payment in the event of the total wreck of the ship which carried it; and ithas been decided, that, in case ofa total lo with salvage, the merchant may either take the part saved or abandon it. But after he has made his election, he must abide by it.-Also, in inland traffic, the goods sent by railroad, on what is termed a freight-train. [s. 385]