free 1 adj
1 a: having the legal and political rights of a citizen
representatives...shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons — U.S. Constitution art. I
b: enjoying civil and political liberty
a free people
c: enjoying political independence or freedom from outside domination
these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent States — Declaration of Independence
d: not subject to the control or domination of another
2: made or done as a matter of choice and right: not compelled or restricted
no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof — U.S. Constitution amend. I
a free and voluntary confession
3: relieved from or lacking a burden (as a lien or other encumbrance on title)
a buyer in ordinary course of business...takes free of a security interest created by his seller — Uniform Commercial Code
4: not bound, confined, or detained by force
free on bail
5 a: having no trade restrictions
b: not subject to government regulation
c of foreign exchange: not subject to restriction or official control
6: not costing or charging anything
free·ly adv
for free: without charge
free 2 vt freed, free·ing
1: to cause to be free
2: to relieve or rid of what constrains, confines, restricts, or burdens
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.