frisk

American  

[frisk] / frɪsk /

verb (used without object)

1. to dance, leap, skip, or gambol; frolic.

   The dogs and children frisked about on the lawn.

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verb (used with object)

1. to search (a person) for concealed weapons, contraband goods, etc., by feeling the person's clothing.

   The police frisked both of the suspects.

noun

1. a leap, skip, or caper.

2. a frolic or gambol.

3. the act of frisking a person.

frisk British  

/ frɪsk /

verb

1. (intr) to leap, move about, or act in a playful manner; frolic

2. (tr) (esp of animals) to whisk or wave briskly

   the dog frisked its tail

3. (tr)

   1. to search (someone) by feeling for concealed weapons, etc

   2. to rob by searching in this way

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noun

1. a playful antic or movement; frolic

2. the act or an instance of frisking a person

Other Word Forms

• frisker noun
• friskingly adverb
• unfrisking adjective

Etymology

Origin of frisk

1425–75; late Middle English, as adj. < Middle French frisque, perhaps a spelling variant (with mute s ) of fri ( c ) que lively, smart < Germanic (compare Middle Dutch vrec, Old High German freh avaricious, Middle High German vrech brave, German frech insolent); or < Middle French (Flanders) frisque < Middle Dutch frisc fresh

Example Sentences

The match has been designated a "high-risk" clash, with police enforcing special rules such as preventative frisking.

From Barron's

In New York City, police report that 20% of stops involve the use of “physical force,” while approximately half of recorded stops involve frisking.

From Salon

The luggage is scanned and people are sometimes frisked before accessing the boarding lounge.

From BBC

As the officers patted down Flores, the lights on the Nissan blinked — which they assumed was because their frisk had pushed a key fob in Flores’ possession.

From Los Angeles Times

It was a hot night, and the park was full of townsfolk, outdoors after dinner to keep cool, strolling on the graveled walks, chatting on the benches, laughing, watching the children romp and frisk about.

From Literature