Noun

(en noun)

A man, particularly a bold, strong, vigorous man.

A fellow; a petulant, young man.

Noun

(en noun)

A sudden causeless change or turn of the mind; a whim of fancy; a capricious prank; a vagary or caprice.

Someone or something that is markedly unusual.

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A hippie.

* {{quote-journal

, year = 1969 (but cites 1971 source) , first = Paul A. , last = Eschholz , title = Freak compounds for 'argot freaks' , journal = American Speech , volume = 44 , issue = 4 , url = , page = 306-07 , passage = When long-haired, outlandishly dressed, drug-using hippies pilgrimaged to Haight-Ashbury in the early 1960s, they were quickly dubbed freaks'''''; the pejorative appellation was both obvious and intended. It was not long before '''''freak''''' had become practically synonymous with ''hippie''. It seems, however, that with the acceptance of long hair, the appearance and popularity of some rather bizarre fashions, and the emphasis placed upon "doing one's own thing," '''''freak is no longer burdened with all of its former derogatory associations. Instead ... the word is beginning to acquire a quality which is favorable, glamorous, and somehow even admirable. }}

A drug addict.

* {{quote-journal

, year = 1969 (but cites 1971 source) , first = Paul A. , last = Eschholz , title = Freak compounds for "argot freaks" , journal = American Speech , volume = 44 , issue = 4 , url = , page = 306-07 , passage = Smith and Sturges [June 1969] note in their study of the San Francisco drug scene that freak means "anyone addicted to drugs." }}

(of a person) A nonconformist, especially in appearance, social behavior, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or business practices; an oddball, especially in physiology (i.e., "circus freak"); unique, sometimes in a displeasing way.

(bodybuilding) A person whose physique has grown far beyond the normal limits of muscular development; often a bodybuilder weighing more than 120 kilos (260 pounds).

An enthusiast, or person who has an obsession with, or extreme knowledge of, something.

* {{quote-journal

, year = 1968 , first = Fred , last = Davis , coauthors = Laura Munoz , title = Heads and freaks: patterns and meanings of drug use among hippies , journal = Journal of Health and Social Behavior , volume = 9 , issue = 2 , url = , page = 156-64 , passage = Anyone ... who seems "hung up" on some idea, activity or interactional disposition, might be called a "freak ." }}

* {{quote-journal

, year = 1969 (but cites 1971 source) , first = Paul A. , last = Eschholz , title = Freak compounds for "argot freaks" , journal = American Speech , volume = 44 , issue = 4 , url = , page = 306-07 , passage = Presently ... college students ... use freak to denote any kind of enthusiast. }}

Bob's a real video-game freak . He owns every games console of the last ten years.

(informal, sometimes, affectionate) A very sexually perverse individual.

She's a freak in the sack!

Noun

(label) Strong affection.

# An intense feeling of affection and care towards another person.

#*

, title=(The Celebrity), chapter=8 , passage=The humor of my proposition appealed more strongly to Miss Trevor than I had looked for, and from that time forward she became her old self again; for, even after she had conquered her love for the Celebrity, the mortification of having been jilted by him remained.}}

# A deep or abiding liking for something.

# A profound and caring attraction towards someone.

#* (John Milton) (1608-1674)

He on his side / Leaning half-raised, with looks of cordial love / Hung over her enamoured.

(countable) The object of one’s romantic feelings; a darling or sweetheart.

* (Edmund Spenser) (c.1552–1599)

Open the temple gates unto my love .

(colloquial)

(euphemistic) A sexual desire; sexual activity.

*1986, Ben Elton & al., ":

*:—What think you, my lord, of... love ?

*:—You mean ‘rumpy-pumpy’.

(obsolete) A thin silk material.

* 1664 , (Robert Boyle), Experiments and Considerations Touching Colours,

Such a kind of transparency, as that of a Sive, a piece of Cyprus, or a Love -Hood.

A climbing plant, Clematis vitalba .