Pronunciations
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/fɹɛk/
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
- Received-Pronunciation
Noun
Synonym of freckle (“a small brownish or reddish pigmentation spot on the surface of the skin; any small spot which has a different colour from its background”).
- Examples
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More examples (1)
The eggs [of the pine grosbeak] vary much, both in size and colouring; […] ground-colour pale blue-green, blotched and streaked with light purple and burnt umber spots and frecks; […]
Verb
Chiefly followed by with. To cover (someone or something) with small marks or spots; to dapple, to freckle, to speckle.
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There ſhee a bloodleſſe Statue ſate, all freckt; / Her ſpotted minde the Marble did infect.
The tufted Crovv-toe, and pale Geſſamine, / The vvhite Pink, and the Panſie freakt vvith jeat, / The glovving Violet.
More examples (3)
Sables, of gloſſy black; and dark-embrovvn'd, / Or beauteous freakt vvith many a mingled hue, / Thouſands beſides, the coſtly pride of courts.
The painted windows, frecking gloom with glow, / Dusking the sunshine which they seem to cheer, / Meet symbol of the senses and the soul; […]
The sky's unresting cloudland, […] / [N]ow parcelling the icy inane / highspredd in fine diaper of silver and mother-of-pearl / freaking the intense azure; […]
Chiefly followed by with. To scatter objects over (something).
Usage- Figurative
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The eve put on her sweetest shroud, / The summer-dress she's often in, / Freck'd with white and purple cloud, / Dappled like a leopard's skin; […]
Adjective
Not showing proper respect; impertinent, impudent.
Usage- Northern-England
- Archaic
Bold, brave, courageous.
Usage- Scotland
- Archaic
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More examples (1)
"There was none to challenge him but old Keltie, and the carrier Auchtermuchty," replied Randal; "unlikely men to slay one of the frackest youths in Scotland of his years, and who was sure to have friends and partakers at no great distance."
Physically active and healthy; robust, vigorous.
Usage- Scotland
- Archaic
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[H]e's a freck aul' body at his age.
Often followed by for or to: eager to do something; also, quick to act when an opportunity arises; prompt.
Usage- Scotland
- Archaic
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More examples (1)
["][T]his brother of thine, who is so frack, as the fellow called him, bears he the same wonderful likeness to thee as formerly?" / "If your Grace means in temper, you know whether I am so frack as the serving-man spoke him." / "Nay, thou art prompt enough in all reasonable conscience," replied the Queen; […]
Ae stride or twa took the silly auld carle, / An' a gude lang stride took he. / I trow thou art a freck auld carle, / Wilt thou show the way to me?