Obs. north. dial. Also fres(se. [Of obscure origin.

1

  Stratmann compares OS. frêsa str. fem. (MDu. vrêse, Du. vrees), OHG. freisa, fear, danger. The sense is not inappropriate, but the exact OE. equivalent of these words would be *frás, yielding *frase in northern ME.]

2

  In phr. no frese = ‘no doubt.’

3

a. 1400.  Pistill of Susan (Vernon), 43. To fonge flourus and fruit, þouȝt þei no fresse.

4

c. 1460.  Towneley Myst. (Surtees), 30.

        So wold mo, no frese, that I se on this sole
        Of wifes that ar here,
For the life that thay leyd,
Wold thase husbandes were dede.
    Ibid., 291.
Putt thi hande in my syde, no fres, ther Longeus put his spere,
Loke my rysyng be no les, let no wan-hope the dere.

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