Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Franklin"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Franklin \Frank"lin\, n. [OE. frankelein; cf. LL. franchilanus.
See {Frank}, a.]
An English freeholder, or substantial householder. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
The franklin, a small landholder of those days. --Sir
J. Stephen.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
Franklin
n 1: United States historian noted for studies of Black American
history (born in 1915) [syn: {Franklin}, {John Hope
Franklin}]
2: printer whose success as an author led him to take up
politics; he helped draw up the Declaration of
Independence and the Constitution; he played a major role
in the American Revolution and negotiated French support
for the colonists; as a scientist he is remembered
particularly for his research in electricity (1706-1790)
[syn: {Franklin}, {Benjamin Franklin}]
3: (England) a landowner (14th and 15th centuries) who was free
but not of noble birth
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