freak English · revision 7956

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|attested=1563}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /fɹiːk/; /fɹiːk/ ''(UK)''; /fɹik/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is of uncertain or unknown origin,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) perhaps a dialect survival of a word related to Middle English friken, to move briskly, from Old English [[m|ang|frician|t=to dance]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) or from Middle English freke, a bold man, warrior (Old English freca), in phrases such as the freaks of Fortune.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A sudden, causeless change of mind, a whim: 1563,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) given currency by Spenser's ''Faerie Queene'' (1590).^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A freking, apparently capricious behaviour, is recorded in the mid-15th century.^(Etymonline) Capriciousness is from 1678, and a capricious prank from 1724, in Gay.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) An unusual thing, a fancy, is from 1784, in Cowper.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) An abnormal individual or monstrosity is from 1839–47, in ''freak of nature'' (Latin lusus naturae),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) later popular in advertisements of variety shows.^(Etymonline) An enthusiast for something, a ''jazz freak'', is from 1908,^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023) and a drug user from 1967.^(OED 1989)^(AHD) The verb, to change or distort, is from 1911,^(Etymonline) and ''freak out'' is from the 1960s.^(MWU 2024)^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1563 – a whim.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1724 – a prank.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1784 – an oddity.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1847 – a monstrosity.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1908 – an enthusiast.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1964 – to freak out.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person, animal or plant that is abnormal in form; a [[monstrosity]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A very unusual thing or event: ''a freak storm''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A sudden whim.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' An enthusiast: ''a fitness freak''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' A person who dresses or acts very unconventionally.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # ''(informal, often freak out)'' To become or make very frightened, angry or upset.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[freaked]]

+ * [[ecofreak]]

+ * [[freakish]]

+ * [[freak-out]]

+ * [[freaky]]

+ * [[phreak]]

+ * [[control freak]]

+ * [[freak of nature]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[freckle]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A separate freak, a fleck or streak of colour, and the verb to streak (1630s), may be related to [[freckle]].^(AHD)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) Scots freik, a bold man or warrior, is from Middle English freke.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}