Free State

American  

noun

1. U.S. History. (before the Civil War) a state in which slavery was prohibited.

2. Irish Free State.

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Free State British  

noun

1. a province of central South Africa; replaced the former province of Orange Free State in 1994: gold and uranium mining. Capital: Bloemfontein. Pop: 2 950 661 (2004 est). Area: 129 480 sq km (49 992 sq miles)

2. history (before the Civil War) any state prohibiting slavery

3. short for Irish Free State

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Etymology

Origin of Free State

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

An opposition MP wants to declare Free State and parts of four other provinces "Lesotho's territory".

From BBC

Seth Cooper, director of policy studies at the Free State Foundation, a conservative tech policy think tank, said the order paves the way for rate regulation.

From Washington Times

“Free State” Exploration of human rights, democracy, the environment; on view through Sept. 18.

From Los Angeles Times

But in 1922, the IRA's attention shifted south to the new Irish Free State, which was rapidly descending into a bitter civil war.

From BBC

He faces charges over a contract to audit homes with asbestos roofs, between 2014 and 2016, when he was premier of the Free State province.

From Reuters