franklin
noun
(in the 14th and 15th centuries) a freeholder who was not of noble birth.
franklins
-
pluralof franklin.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The summons were generally obeyed: the franklins swore allegiance to the new King and gave the required hostages.
From Canute the Great The Rise of Danish Imperialism during the Viking Age by Laurence Marcellus Larson
The noblemen, or, more justly speaking, the franklins, alone defended the country against foreign invasions.
From The Village Notary by J?zsef E?tv?s
The franklins in the neighbourhood were all hostile to Sir Rudolph, whom they regarded as a cruel tyrant, and did their utmost in the way of supplies for those in the forest.
From Winning His Spurs A Tale of the Crusades by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty
He had humbled the neighbouring franklins, who refused to pay him blackmail.
From The House of Walderne A Tale of the Cloister and the Forest in the Days of the Barons' Wars by A. D. (Augustine David) Crake
I should have scarcely cut a figure among the franklins, or country gentlemen, in king John's days.
From The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 2 Elia and The Last Essays of Elia by Charles Lamb
