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

Cameras positioned at the entrance track his every move, while reams of barbed wire surround the farm in the rural Free State province in the heart of South Africa.

From BBC

A South African professor who asked to remain anonymous told the BBC she had taken leave so she could travel to Johannesburg from Free State province to take part in the silent protest.

From BBC

During his Springbok tenure, the former Free State flanker, who won 37 international caps, has innovated with strokes of genius such as naming a bench with just one back and rolling mauls in open play.

From Barron's

Cronje was appointed Orange Free State captain aged 21 and the batting all-rounder soon became a part of the post-apartheid South Africa team which re-emerged on the international stage.

From BBC

Among them is the Free State, one of the three South African provinces that share a border with the small southern African nation.

From BBC