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

Explanation

To frisk someone is to search them, usually for weapons. It’s typical for a crime show to portray a police officer frisking a suspect. The purpose of frisking is to find out if someone is carrying a particular kind of item. The person doing the frisking may be looking for weapons or a recording device. Another meaning of frisk is more light-hearted: “to play in an enthusiastic manner.” Kids running around a playground are frisking. If you say there’s frisking going on in a nearby park, you might want to clarify which meaning you’re indicating.

Example Sentences

Ms. Linnartz took over from Patrik Frisk, who served in that role for two years.

From New York Times • Mar. 13, 2024

The first author of the study is Mio Kobayashi Frisk, a doctoral student at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg:

From Science Daily • Dec. 21, 2023

The sports apparel company said CEO Patrik Frisk will step down.

From Seattle Times • May 19, 2022

Under Armour said Frisk, who joined Under Armour in 2017, will remain with the company as an adviser through Sept. 1.

From Reuters • May 18, 2022

In fact, before they had gone quite a mile from the town, Frisk, who had given various signs of impatience, sprang out of the carriage, rushed into a field of clover, and pointed.

From The Prussian Terror by Dumas, Alexandre