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Honest vs Frank - What's the difference?

honest | frank |

In obsolete terms the difference between honest and frank

is that honest is to adorn or grace; to honour; to make becoming, appropriate, or honourable while frank is liberal; generous; profuse.

As a noun frank is

free postage, a right exercised by governments (usually with definite article).

As a proper noun Frank is

a given name derived from Germanic.

honest

English

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • (of a person or institution) Scrupulous with regard to telling the truth; not given to swindling, lying, or fraud; upright.
  • We're the most honest people you will ever come across.
  • * Sir W. Temple
  • An honest physician leaves his patient when he can contribute no farther to his health.
  • (of a statement) True, especially as far as is known by the person making the statement; fair; unbiased.
  • an honest''' account of events''; '''''honest reporting
  • In good faith; without malice.
  • an honest mistake
  • (of a measurement device) Accurate.
  • an honest scale
  • Authentic; full.
  • an honest day's work
  • Earned or acquired in a fair manner.
  • an honest dollar
  • Open; frank.
  • an honest countenance
  • (obsolete) Decent; honourable; suitable; becoming.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Behold what honest clothes you send forth to bleaching!
    (Chaucer)
  • (obsolete) Chaste; faithful; virtuous.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Wives may be merry, and yet honest too.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Antonyms

    * dishonest

    Derived terms

    * honest as the day is long * honesty

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To adorn or grace; to honour; to make becoming, appropriate, or honourable.
  • (Archbishop Sandys)
  • * (Ben Jonson)
  • You have very much honested my lodging with your presence.

    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
    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)
    ----