frisk

[frisk]

verb (used without object)

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

   The dogs and children frisked about on the lawn.

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

/ 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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of frisk¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of frisk¹

C16: from Old French frisque , of Germanic origin; related to Old High German frisc lively, _fresh

Example Sentences

Later, Law and Schmitt watch as a Santa is frisked and then put into a police car for having an open container.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on Salon

“The other thing that, frankly, New York’s going to have to face, is the issue of whether we should bring back more aggressive stop and frisk, which is a perfectly legal law enforcement tactic.”

Read more on Salon

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

Read more on BBC