franchise English · revision 6184

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1290|origins=fro franc}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈfræn.tʃaɪz/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English fraunchise, [[bor|fro|franchise|t=freedom, exemption; right, privilege]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(Etymonline) from franch-, a stem of [[m|fro|franc|t=free]] (feminine franche; see [[frank]]), and the suffix [[m|fro|-ise]], representing Latin -itia.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) The verb is from Old French [[m|fro|franchir|t=to free]].^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Freedom as opposed to servitude: about 1290 in the OED,^(OED 1989) about 1300 in Barnhart.^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline has a special right or privilege granted by a sovereign about 1300, along with national sovereignty and nobility of character.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Moral freedom and nobility of mind are early senses now obsolete.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002) A legal immunity or exemption is from about 1330,^(OED 1989) and a privilege granted by the sovereign power more widely from 1386.^(OED 1989) Freedom from arrest in a sanctuary is from about 1380,^(OED 1989) and a district over which a privilege extends from the 15th century.^(Hoad 1986) Citizenship or membership of a town or guild is from the early 15th century, 1579 in the OED's sense of membership of a body corporate,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and the right to buy and sell, or a monopoly, from the mid-15th century.^(Etymonline) In the 18th century the special right narrowed to a particular legal privilege and then to the right to vote (1790).^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) The commercial sense, the authorization given by a company to sell its products or services, is from 1959,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and the verb in the licensing sense from 1966.^(Etymonline) In marine insurance a franchise is the percentage below which the underwriter is not liable (1895).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1290 – freedom.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1330 – a legal immunity.^(OED 1989)

+ * early 15th century – citizenship.^(Etymonline)

+ * mid-15th century – the right to trade.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1790 – the right to vote.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1959 – a commercial franchise.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(the franchise)'' The right to vote in public elections; [[suffrage]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A privilege or right granted by a government, such as to run a public service.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Permission given by a company to sell its goods or services in an area, or a business run under such permission.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(North America)'' A professional sports team holding membership of a league.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To grant a franchise to.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[franchisable]]

+ * [[franchisability]]

+ * [[disfranchise]]

+ * [[franchisee]]

+ * [[franchiser]]

+ * [[franchisor]]

+ * [[subfranchise]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[frank]]

+ * [[enfranchise]]

+ * [[disenfranchise]]

+ * [[Frank]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}