freeman Definition
- 1a person who is not a slave or serf
- 2a person who has been granted the freedom of a city, corporation, etc., as a privilege
Using freeman: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "freeman" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
In ancient Rome, freemen were allowed to vote.
Example
The freemen of the city were granted certain privileges.
Example
He was born a freeman and never knew the horrors of slavery.
Example
The company offered its employees a chance to become freemen after five years of service.
freeman Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for freeman
Antonyms for freeman
- serf
- slave
Phrases with freeman
an honorary title given by a city government to a person who has achieved success in their field or contributed significantly to the community
Example
After years of dedicated service to the city, he was granted the title of freeman of the city.
a person who believes in common law and natural rights and rejects the authority of the government and its laws
Example
The freeman of the land movement gained popularity in the early 2000s as a response to perceived government overreach.
freeman's oath
an oath taken by a freeman in medieval England to uphold the law and protect the king's peace
Example
In order to become a freeman of the city, one had to take the freeman's oath.
Origins of freeman
from Old English 'frēo' meaning 'free' and 'mann' meaning 'man'
Summary: freeman in Brief
The term 'freeman' [ˈfriːmən] refers to a person who is not a slave or serf. It can also refer to a person who has been granted the freedom of a city or corporation as a privilege. Examples include 'In ancient Rome, freemen were allowed to vote.' and 'The company offered its employees a chance to become freemen after five years of service.' Phrases like 'freeman of the city' denote an honorary title given by a city government, while 'freeman of the land' refers to a person who rejects the authority of the government and its laws.