franklin
English edit
Etymology edit
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 edit
Noun edit
franklin (plural franklins)
- (historical) A freeholder, especially as belonging to a class of landowners in the 14th and 15th century ranking at the bottom of the gentry.