a. and sb. Obs. [A corrupt form of frend, FREMD, influenced by etymologizing association with forenne, FOREIGN.]
A. adj. Strange, not related. rare–1.
1553. Grimalde, Cicero’s Offices, I. (1558), 21. They conuey those same riches to frenne folke: which it were more reason bothe to bee delt and left to their kinsfolke.
B. sb. A foreigner, stranger, enemy.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., April, 28. So now his frend is chaunged for a frenne [1597 fren]. Gloss., Frenne, a straunger. The word I thinke was first poetically put, and afterwarde vsed in commen custome of speach for forenne.
1614. Davies, Eclogue, in Browne’s Past.
| If frennes forbeare at home hem to inuade, | |
| They wry their peace to noy each other then | |
| By plees till they decease or fall or fade. |
