term:

Free

free adj

1 a : having the legal and political rights of a citizen [representatives…shall be determined by adding to the whole number of persons "U.S. Constitution art. I"]
b : enjoying civil and political liberty [a people]
c : enjoying political independence or freedom from outside domination [these united colonies are, and of right ought to be and independent States "Declaration of Independence"]
d : not subject to the control or domination of another
2 : made or done as a matter of choice and right
: not compelled or restricted [no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof "U.S. Constitution amend. I"] [a and voluntary confession]
3 : relieved from or lacking a burden (as a lien or other encumbrance on title) [a buyer in ordinary course of business…takes of a security interest created by his seller "Uniform Commercial Code"]
4 : not bound, confined, or detained by force [ on bail]
5 a : having no trade restrictions
b : not subject to government regulation
c of foreign exchange
: not subject to restriction or official control
6 : not costing or charging anything
free·ly adv


for free
: without charge

vt freed
free·ing
1 : to cause to be free
2 : to relieve or rid of what constrains, confines, restricts, or burdens

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.