Forms: 6–8 frol(l)i(c)k(e, (6 fralicke, fro(w)lyke), 6–9 frolique, (7 frœlich), 6– frolic. [a. Du. vrolijk (in Kilian vrolick), = OS. *frólîc (whence frôlîco adv.), OHG. frölîch (MHG. vrölich, vrœlic, mod.Ger. fröhlich); f. MDu. vrô OHG. frô (MHG. vrô, mod.G. froh) glad, joyous.]
1. In early use: Joyous, merry, mirthful. In later use with sense derived from the vb.: Frolicsome, sportive, full of merry pranks.
1538. Bale, Thre Lawes, 1794. And make frowlyke chere, with hey how fryska jolye!
c. 1600. Day, Begg. Bednall Gr., II. i. (1881), 30. Fair Love, be frolick; talk no more of death and care.
1632. Milton, L’Allegro, 18. The frolic wind that breathes the spring.
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., I. § 74. The Nature and Education of Spain restrain’d men from … Gayety, and Frolique humour.
1676. Etheredge, Man of Mode, IV. i. Then sparkling champagne … Makes us frolic and gay.
1791. E. Darwin, Bot. Gard., II. 140. Galantha … prints with frolic step the melting snows.
1844. Disraeli, Coningsby, VII. iv. Her voice was rich and sweet; the air she sang … fantastically frolic.
1873. Holland, A. Bonnic. iii. 60. A thousand forms of frolic life.
absol. a. 1656. Bp. Hall, Rem., Wks. (1660), 182. Did ye ever hear him [Solomon] say, Blessed are the frolick and joviall?
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 176, ¶ 6. You may find Instances of the Haughty, the Proud, the Frolick, the Stubborn, who are each of them in secret downright Slaves.
1779–81. Johnson, L. P., Addison, Wks. III. 54. The Tatler and Spectator … taught the frolic and the gay to unite merriment with decency.
† b. transf. of colors, wine, etc. Obs.
1606[?]. Drayton, Eclog., iv. Poems, etc., E j b. She ware a frock of frolicke green.
1644. Quarles, Barnabas & B., 2. Eat thy bread with a merry heart, and gulp down care in frolic cups of liberal wine.
1648. Herrick, Hesper., Ode for B. Jonson. And yet, each Verse of thine Out-did the meat, out-did the frolick wine.
† 2. Free; liberal. Const. of. Obs.–1
1593. Pass. Morrice, 79. Shee began to perceave that Master Anthonie was changed, being nothing so frolick of his kindness as he had been.
3. quasi-adv. or interjectional.
1594. Lodge, Wounds Civ. War (1883), 19. Frolike braue Souldiers wee must foote it now.
1596. Shaks., Tam. Shr., IV. iii. 184. Therefore frolicke, we will hence forthwith.
4. Comb., as frolic-hearted adj.
1646. Quarles, Judgemt. & Mercy, Wks. (Grosart), I. 73/2. The vacant houres of frolique-hearted youth.
Hence † Frolickish a., somewhat sportive; † Frolickness, the state of being frolic.
1617. Hieron, Wks., II. 104. Dost thou maruell at his frollikenesse and iollitie.
1660. Charac. Italy To the Reader, A iv. The more frolickish Genius, who no doubt is freer from intended mischief then the thoughtful man, will disgest it.
a. 1679. T. Goodwin, Wks. (1704), V. 199. Mirth, Jollity, Frolickness of youth, as you call them.
1681. Glanvill, Sadducismus, II. (1726), 453–4. Frolickness of Fancy, and solidity of Judgment, require dispositions of Brain that are very different.
