Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • proper noun A male given name
  • proper noun A female given name, a rare spelling variant of Frances.
  • proper noun A patronymic surname.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Latin Franciscus ("French(man)") (from Francia 'France', from the Germanic tribal name of the Franks, meaning frank, free), originally a nickname of St. Francis of Assisi.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word Francis.

Examples

  • [Illustration: "_I WILL NOT TELL, SIR FRANCIS_"] "What did your father when the proposition was made to kill the queen?" asked Walsingham so suddenly that Francis was caught unawares.

    In Doublet and Hose A Story for Girls Lucy Foster Madison 1898

  • Francis was never known in his lifetime as anything higher than _Brother Francis_, and his community he insisted should be called the community of the lesser brethren -- _Fratres Minores_ -- for none could be or should be less than they.

    The Coming of the Friars Augustus Jessopp 1868

  • Francis in prayer_, by Hannibal Carrache; _an Ecce Homo_ and a copy of the _Holy family_, by Mignard; _a death of saint Francis_, by Jouvenet; several marines, by Vernet; _a descent from the Cross_, by Lahire; _the plague of Milan_, by Lemonnier, of Rouen; and a great many others, which it would require too much room to mention here.

    Rouen, It's History and Monuments A Guide to Strangers Th��odore Licquet 1809

  • SPLITTING   SAINT   FRANCIS:   The Nittany Lions bounced back from a 5-3 afternoon loss to Saint Francis with an impressive 8-0, six-inning win over the Red Flash to split a March 24 doubleheader.

    Penn State News -- www.gopsusports.com 2010

  • The Austrian emperor, Francis II, had secured the title Francis I, emperor of Austria, and now retained this title alone.

    2. Foreign Affairs 2001

  • Mention the name Francis to this 81-year-old business tycoon and his face lights up.

    Forbes.com: News Robert Olsen 2011

  • Brother Francis is a monk in the order dedicated to the Blessed (not saint yet) Leibowitz.

    MIND MELD: Books We Love That Everyone Else Hates (and Vice Versa) 2010

  • RNC Communications Director Trevor Francis is leaving his job, Steele confirmed in statement to CNN, but offered no reason for the departure.

    RNC official resigns 2009

  • Blaser, Robin Francis (May 18, 1925 – May 7, 2009) ECP

    2009 – Deaths A-B « The Graveyard 2010

  • Designed by Philippe Starck and Martin Francis, the 390-foot craft's bow is angled inward, resembling a submarine or a sleek locomotive; the control center soars from the stern rather than the middle of the boat.

    Seven Custom Yachts To Dream About Zack O'Malley Greenburg 2010

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.