freien

• IPA^(key): /ˈfʁaɪ̯ən/, [ˈfʁaɪ̯ən], [ˈfʁaɪ̯n̩]

Originally restricted to Low and Central German; generalized by Luther. From Middle Low German vrien and Middle High German vrīen, frīen, vrijen, vrigen; cf. Old High German *frīon, Old Saxon friohon. Ultimately from Proto-Germanic *frijōną. Cognate to Dutch vrijen.

freien (third-person singular simple present freit, past tense freite, past participle gefreit, auxiliary haben)

1. (archaic or poetic) to marry
2. (archaic or poetic) to ask for marriage; to propose
3. (archaic or poetic) to court; to woo

• Only the derivative Freier remains current, but in a more negative sense (“client of a prostitute”).

• Freier
• Freite

freien

1. inflected form of frei

From Middle High German frīen, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *frijōną. Cognate with German freien, Dutch vrijen.

• IPA^(key): /ˈfʀai̯en/, [ˈfʀɑɪ̯ən]
• Rhymes: -ɑɪən

freien (third-person singular present freit, past participle gefrien, auxiliary verb hunn)

1. (transitive or intransitive) to court (romantically)

• Freier
• Freierei
• Freiesch