franklin

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English frankelein (“freeholder”), from Anglo-Norman fraunclein (“a landowner of free, but not noble birth”), from Old French fraunc (“free”), from Frankish *Frankō (“Frank”, literally “freeman”) + Old French -lein (“-ling”), from Frankish *-ling (“-ling”). More at frank, -ling. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈfɹæŋk.lɪn/ === Noun === franklin (plural franklins) (historical) A freeholder, especially as belonging to a class of landowners in the 14th and 15th century ranking at the bottom of the gentry.