Main Entry: ²free

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): freed; free·ing

Date: before 12th century

1 a : to cause to be free b : to relieve or rid of what restrains, confines, restricts, or embarrasses <free a person from debt> —often used with up <free up space on the hard drive> c : disentangle, clear
2 obsolete : banish

— fre·er noun

synonyms free, release, liberate, emancipate, manumit mean to set loose from restraint or constraint. free implies a usually permanent removal from whatever binds, confines, entangles, or oppresses <freed the animals from their cages>. release suggests a setting loose from confinement, restraint, or a state of pressure or tension, often without implication of permanent liberation <released his anger on a punching bag>. liberate stresses particularly the resulting state of liberty <liberated their country from the tyrant>. emancipate implies the liberation of a person from subjection or domination <labor-saving devices emancipated us from household drudgery>. manumit implies emancipation from slavery <the document manumitted the slaves>.