Frisk Definition

frĭsk

frisked, frisking, frisks

verb

frisked, frisking, frisks

To move in a playful, lively manner.

The colt frisked its tail.

Webster's New World

To dance or move about in a playful, lively manner; frolic.

Webster's New World

To search (a person) as for concealed weapons or stolen articles by passing the hands quickly over the person's clothing.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

noun

frisks

The act or an instance of frisking a person.

Webster's New World

A lively, playful movement; frolic; gambol.

Webster's New World

To search another for a weapon or contraband.

Webster's New World Law

The search of another for a weapon or contraband. See also search.

Webster's New World Law

Synonyms:

adjective

Lively; frisky.

Webster's New World

Origin of Frisk

Alternative etymology derives frisk from an alteration (due to Old French fresche (“fresh”)) of Old French fricque, frique (“smart, strong, playful, bright”), from Gothic [script?] (friks, “greedy, hungry”), from Proto-Germanic *frekaz, *frakaz (“greedy, active”), from Proto-Indo-European *preg- (“greedy, fierce”). Cognate with Middle Dutch vrec (“greedy, avaricious”), German frech (“insolent”), Old English frec (“greedy, eager, bold, daring, dangerous”). More at freak.

From Wiktionary
From Middle English frisk, from Old French frisque (“lively, jolly, blithe, fine, spruce, gay”), of Germanic origin, perhaps from Middle Dutch frisc (“fresh”) or Old High German frisc (“fresh”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *friskaz (“fresh”). Cognate with Icelandic frískur (“frisky, fresh”). More at fresh.

From Wiktionary
From Middle English frisk lively from Old French frisque of Germanic origin

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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