frisk

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to search a person's clothing and body for concealed weapons, drugs, or other objects

   Security officers frisked each visitor before allowing entry.

2. 2
   verb

   to leap, run, or play about in a lively way

   The dogs frisked around the garden in the morning sun.

3. 3
   noun

   a quick physical search of a person for concealed objects

   The officer conducted a brief frisk after making the arrest.

From Middle English frisk, 'lively,' through Middle French frisque, probably from a Germanic word related to fresh. The early verb meant to frolic or move briskly; the later search sense developed from running the hands rapidly over a person's clothing.

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images