Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1768-1825, 1902-1926
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FRANK, adj. Sc. usages, now obs. in Eng.:
1. Willing, ready (Ags.19 1953); lavish, without restraint. Adv. frankly. Phr. frank to the road, willing or eager to travel, of a horse.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 40:
What fusion's in it, I shall frankly ware, As lang's I can, in seeking o' my dear.Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary xl.:
"I'll trouble you for your spurs, my friend." "You will scarce need them, sir. . . . He's very frank to the road."Slk. 1825 Hogg Wars of Montrose III. 148:
They're sae frank at takin the lives o' others it's weel done when they snap ane anither's at orra times.Cai. 1902 J. Horne Canny Countryside 229:
I'm frank till admit 'at.
2. Of manner: gushing, effusive.Gall. 1796 J. Lauderdale Poems 18:
Ye [his dog] wi' yer tail are like to fank, An' ding me doun; But hark! my spouse is no sae frank, Wi' doncie John.m.Sc. 1926 "O. Douglas" Proper Place xx.:
English people mean by "frank" honest and open; here "frank" means free: a "frank" manner is a forthcoming, gushing manner.
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"Frank adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 4 Jun 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/frank_adj>
