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Frank vs Brank - What's the difference?

frank | brank |

As nouns the difference between frank and brank

is that frank is free postage, a right exercised by governments (usually with definite article) while brank is a metal bridle formerly used as a torture device to hold the head of a scold and restrain the tongue.

As verbs the difference between frank and brank

is that frank is to place a frank on an envelope while brank is to put someone in the branks.

As an adjective frank

is honest, especially in an manner that seems slightly blunt; candid; not reserved or disguised.

As a proper noun Frank

is a given name derived from Germanic.

frank

English

(wikipedia frank)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) , in turn from the name of an early Germanic confederation, the Franks .

Adjective

(er)
  • honest, especially in an manner that seems slightly blunt; candid; not reserved or disguised.
    • May I be frank with you?
  • (medicine) unmistakable, clinically obvious, self-evident
    • The research probes whether treating pre-diabetes with metformin can prevent progression to frank diabetes.
  • (obsolete) Unbounded by restrictions, limitations, etc.; free.
  • * Spenser
    • It is of frank gift.
  • (obsolete) Liberal; generous; profuse.
  • * L'Estrange
    • Frank of civilities that cost them nothing.
  • (obsolete, derogatory) Unrestrained; loose; licentious.
    • (Spenser)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (uncountable) Free postage, a right exercised by governments (usually with definite article).
  • * Cowper
    • I have said so much, that, if I had not a frank , I must burn my letter and begin again.
  • (countable) The notice on an envelope where a stamp would normally be found.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To place a frank on an envelope.
  • * 1811 , Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility , chapter 20
    • It will be so ridiculous to see all his letters directed to him with an M.P.—But do you know, he says, he will never frank for me?
  • To exempt from charge for postage, as a letter, package, or packet, etc.
  • To send by public conveyance free of expense.
    • (Charles Dickens)

    Etymology 2

    Shortened form of frankfurter.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A hot dog or sausage.
    • Buy a package of franks for the barbecue.
  • * {{quote-video
    • , year = 1978 , title = , people = (Jackie Cooper) , role = (Perry White) , passage = I want the name of this flying whatchamacallit to go with the Daily Planet like bacon and eggs, franks and beans, death and taxes, politics and corruption! }}
    Synonyms
    * frankfurt * frankfurter
    Related terms
    * cocktail frank
    See also
    * sav * savaloy

    Etymology 3

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (UK) the grey heron.

    • Etymology 4

    (etyl) franc.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A pigsty.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To shut up in a frank or sty; to pen up; hence, to cram; to fatten.
    • (Shakespeare)
    ----

    brank

    English

    Etymology 1

    Compare Gaelic brangus'', ''brangas'', a sort of pillory, Irish ''brancas'', halter, or Dutch ''pranger , fetter.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (usually, in the plural) A metal bridle formerly used as a torture device to hold the head of a scold and restrain the tongue
  • (obsolete, UK, Scotland, dialect, usually, in the plural) A sort of bridle with wooden side pieces.
    • (Jamieson)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To put someone in the branks
  • (UK, Scotland, dialect) To hold up and toss the head; applied to horses as spurning the bit.
  • (Scotland) To prance; to caper.
    • (Jamieson)

    Etymology 2

    Probably of Celtic origin; compare (etyl) (lena) brance, brace, the Gallic name of a particularly white kind of corn.

    Noun

    (-)
  • (UK, dialect) buckwheat
    • (Halliwell)
    (Webster 1913)

    Anagrams

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