Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Freedom"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Freedom
The law of Moses pointed out the cases in which the servants of
the Hebrews were to receive their freedom (Ex. 21:2-4, 7, 8;
Lev. 25:39-42, 47-55; Deut. 15:12-18). Under the Roman law the
"freeman" (ingenuus) was one born free; the "freedman"
(libertinus) was a manumitted slave, and had not equal rights
with the freeman (Acts 22:28; comp. Acts 16:37-39; 21:39; 22:25;
25:11, 12).
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Freedom \Free"dom\ (fr[=e]"d[u^]m), n. [AS. fre['o]d[=o]m;
fre['o]free + -dom. See {Free}, and {-dom}.]
1. The state of being free; exemption from the power and
control of another; liberty; independence.
Made captive, yet deserving freedom more. --Milton.
2. Privileges; franchises; immunities.
Your charter and your caty's freedom. --Shak.
3. Exemption from necessity, in choise and action; as, the
freedom of the will.
4. Ease; facility; as, he speaks or acts with freedom.
5. Frankness; openness; unreservedness.
I emboldened spake and freedom used. --Milton.
6. Improper familiarity; violation of the rules of decorum;
license.
7. Generosity; liberality. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Freedom fine}, a sum paid on entry to incorporations of
trades.
{Freedom of the city}, the possession of the rights and
privileges of a freeman of the city; formerly often, and
now occasionally, conferred on one not a resident, as a
mark of honorary distinction for public services.
Syn: See {Liberty}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
freedom
n 1: the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or
think without externally imposed restraints
2: immunity from an obligation or duty [syn: {exemption}]
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