† freke poet. Obs.
Forms: 1 freca, 5–6 freak(e, freik(e, (5 frecke, freeke, freyke), 4– freke.
[OE. freca, properly subst. use of frec, freck a.]
Properly, one eager for fight; a warrior, champion; but usually a mere poetic synonym for ‘man’ (cf. berne, tulk, wye).
| Beowulf 1563 He ᵹefeng þa fetel-hilt freca scyldinga. 13.. K. Alis. 2161 Oure kyng hath this freke y-felde. c 1420 Avow. Arth. xl, Wele armut and dyȝte, As freke redy to fyȝte. c 1450 Bk. Curtasye 255 in Babees Bk. 305 Go not forthe as a dombe freke. 15.. Scotish ffeilde 50 in Furniv. Percy Folio I. 214 When his father, that feirce freake, had finished his dayes. a 1555 Lyndesay Tragedy 218 Than euery freik thay tuke of me sic feir. a 1605 Montgomerie Commend. of Love 39 Fy on that freik that can not love. |