adv. [f. FRANK a.2 + -LY2.] In a frank manner.
† 1. Freely; unrestrictedly, without restraint or constraint. Obs.
1541. Act 33 Hen. VIII., c. 25. All other lawfull thinges … to do as liberally, frankelie, lawfully … as if they … had been naturally borne within this realme.
1547. City of London Jrnls., 317, in Vicary’s Anat. (1888), App. iii. 132. [To] excercyse the seyd … office … Franklye & frelye.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 544. The Sap is shut in, and cannot get vp, to spread so frankly, as it should doe.
2. † a. In liberal or abundant measure, bountifully, lavishly (obs.). b. In a liberal spirit, generously; unconditionally, unreservedly.
1546. Bale, Eng. Votaries, II. (1550), 102. The cattell whyche was … frankely fed.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 402. They would procure the people to deale their almes somewhat more franckly.
1583. Stanyhurst, Æneis, II. (Arb.), 48. Wee thawde with weeping doo pardon francklye the villeyn.
1600. Surflet, Countrie Farme, I. xxiii. 130–1. Oxen are not to be fed so frankely and full in winter, when they labour not.
1602. Rowlands, ’Tis Merrie when Gossips meet (1609), 19.
| His Crownes vpon them frankly he bestowes, | |
| Not caring for his wife, or how she goes. |
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., III. i. 106.
| Were it but my life, | |
| I’de throw it downe for your deliuerance | |
| As frankely as a pin. |
1611. Bible, Luke vii. 42. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgaue them both.
1647. H. More, Philos. P., Oracle, 61.
| Ambrosian streams sprung from the Deitie | |
| Do frankly flow. |
1671. R. McWard, The True Non-conformist, 2. I do here francklie cease from, and lay aside all wrath and bitterness, that I sin not.
1683. Claverhouse, 9 June, in Mowbray Morris, Life, xii. (1889), 142. All the Justices doe their deuty francly and cheerfully.
1848. C. Brontë, J. Eyre, xi. The power of meriting the kindness which seemed so frankly offered me before it was earned.
1877. Mrs. Forrester, Mignon, I. 50. Sir Tristram accepts the invitation as frankly as it is given.
3. Without concealment, disguise, or reserve; avowedly, openly, plainly. Occas. with ellipsis of to speak.
c. 1540. Fisher’s Wks., Life (E.E.T.S.), p. li. To this Counsell (amonge others) this worthie Bishopp of Rochester was specially called, and there desired to speake his minde frankly and freely.
1625. Bacon, Ess., Suspicion (Arb.), 529. The best Meane, to cleare the Way, in this same Wood of Suspicions, is franckly to communicate them, with the Partie, that he Suspects.
1754. Chatham, Lett. Nephew, iv. 24. Venture to own frankly that you came to Cambridge to learn what you can, not to follow what they are pleased to call pleasure.
1847. Lytton, Lucretia, 27. Frankly, if you can like my niece, win her.
1865. W. Roberts, Urin. & Renal Dis., I. iv. (1885), 185. The deposition of the urates is sufficient evidence that the urine is frankly acid.
1880. L. Stephen, Pope, iii. 79. It would be impossible to accept more frankly the theory that lying is wrong when it is found out.
1892. M. Dons, St. John, I. xvi. 248. Frankly open your soul before Him.
4. With freedom of artistic treatment.
1851. Ruskin, Stones Ven. (1874), I. xix. 198. Frankly completing the arch work and cornice of each.
1885. Athenæum, 23 May, 669/2. Frankly painted, and with much good drawing.
