From: Mike '/m' 

On Mon, 16 Dec 2002 07:05:15 -0600, "Joe Barr"
 wrote:

> ...
>
>Your definition may not be the same as theirs, but that doesn't mean they
>are misusing the term.
>
>As a matter of fact, my dictionary leans strongly towards the FSF view.
>The first definition of the word listed in Merriam-Websters Collegiate
>10th Edition is "1 a. having the legal and political rights of a
citizen."
>
>Later definitons appear which match up well with yours.  One example gives
>this "1 d. enjoying personal freedom : not subject to the control or
>domination of another."
>

Compliments of Random House Unabridged CD-ROM Dictionary

free (fr"), adj., freùer, freùest, adv., v., freed, freeùing.
 –adj.
1.      enjoying personal rights or liberty, as a person who is not in
slavery: a land of free people.
2.      pertaining to or reserved for those who enjoy personal
liberty: They were thankful to be living on free soil. 3.      existing
under, characterized by, or possessing civil and
political liberties that are, as a rule, constitutionally guaranteed by
representative government: the free nations of the world. 4.      enjoying
political autonomy, as a people or country not under
foreign rule; independent.
5.      exempt from external authority, interference, restriction,
etc., as a person or one's will, thought, choice, action, etc.;
independent; unrestricted.
6.      able to do something at will; at liberty: free to choose.
7.      clear of obstructions or obstacles, as a road or corridor: The
highway is now free of fallen rock. 8.      not occupied or in use: I'll
try to phone her again if the
line is free.
9.      exempt or released from something specified that controls,
restrains, burdens, etc. (usually fol. by from or of): free from worry;
free of taxes.
10.     having immunity or being safe (usually fol. by from): free
from danger.
11.     provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment: free
parking; a free sample.
12.     given without consideration of a return or reward: a free
offer of legal advice.
13.     unimpeded, as motion or movement; easy, firm, or swift.
14.     not held fast; loose; unattached: to get one's arm free.
15.     not joined to or in contact with something else: The free end
of the cantilever sagged.
16.     acting without self-restraint or reserve: to be too free with
one's tongue.
17.     ready or generous in giving; liberal; lavish: to be free with
one's advice.
18.     given readily or in profusion; unstinted.
19.     frank and open; unconstrained, unceremonious, or familiar.
20.     unrestrained by decency; loose or licentious: free behavior.
21.     not subject to special regulations, restrictions, duties,
etc.: The ship was given free passage. 22.     of, pertaining to, or
characterized by free enterprise: a free
economy.
23.     that may be used by or is open to all: a free market.
24.     engaged in by all present; general: a free fight.
25.     not literal, as a translation, adaptation, or the like; loose.
26.     uncombined chemically: free oxygen.
27.     traveling without power; under no force except that of gravity
or inertia: free flight.
28.     Phonet. (of a vowel) situated in an open syllable (opposed to
checked).
29.     at liberty to enter and enjoy at will (usually fol. by of): to
be free of a friend's house.
30.     not subject to rules, set forms, etc.: The young students had
an hour of free play between classes. 31.     easily worked, as stone, land, etc.
32.     Math. (of a vector) having specified magnitude and direction
but no specified initial point. Cf. bound1 (def. 9). 33.     Also, large.
Naut. (of a wind) nearly on the quarter, so that
a sailing vessel may sail free.
34.     not containing a specified substance (often used in
combination): a sugar-free soft drink. 35.     (of a linguistic form)
occurring as an independent
construction, without necessary combination with other forms, as most
words. Cf. bound1 (def. 11).
36.     for free, Informal. without charge: The tailor mended my
jacket for free.
37.     free and clear, Law. without any encumbrance, as a lien or
mortgage: They owned their house free and clear. 38.     free and easy,
        a. unrestrained; casual; informal.
        b. excessively or inappropriately casual; presumptuous.
39.     set free, to release; liberate; free: The prisoners were set
free.
40.     with a free hand, generously; freely; openhandedly: He
entertains visitors with a free hand. 41.     without cost, payment, or charge.
–adv.
42.     in a free manner; freely.
43.     Naut. away from the wind, so that a sailing vessel need not be
close-hauled: running free.
44.     make free with,
        a. to use as one's own; help oneself to: If you make free with
their liquor, you won't be invited again.
        b. to treat with too much familiarity; take liberties with.
–v.t.
45.     to make free; set at liberty; release from bondage,
imprisonment, or restraint.
46.     to exempt or deliver (usually fol. by from).
47.     to relieve or rid (usually fol. by of): to free oneself of
responsibility.
48.     to disengage; clear (usually fol. by from or of).
49.     free up,
        a. to release, as from restrictions: Congress voted to free up
funds for the new highway system.
        b. to disentangle: It took an hour to free up the traffic jam.
[bef. 900; ME fre, OE fr"o; c. Goth freis, OHG fr# (G frei), D vrij,
Skt priy - dear. Cf. FRIEND, FRIDAY] —free’ness, n.
—Syn.44. See release.



 /m

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