Franklin

[ frangk-lin ]
/ ˈfræŋk lɪn /

noun

British Dictionary definitions for ben franklin (1 of 2)

franklin
/ (ˈfræŋklɪn) /

noun

(in 14th- and 15th-century England) a substantial landholder of free but not noble birth

Word Origin for franklin

C13: from Anglo-French fraunclein, from Old French franc free, on the model of chamberlain

British Dictionary definitions for ben franklin (2 of 2)

Franklin
/ (ˈfræŋklɪn) /

noun

Aretha (əˈriːθə) born 1942, US soul, pop, and gospel singer; noted for her songs "Respect" (1967), "I Say a Little Prayer" (1968), and, with George Michael, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (1987)
Benjamin 1706–90, American statesman, scientist, and author. He helped draw up the Declaration of Independence (1776) and, as ambassador to France (1776–85), he negotiated an alliance with France and a peace settlement with Britain. As a scientist, he is noted particularly for his researches in electricity, esp his invention of the lightning conductor
Sir John . 1786–1847, English explorer of the Arctic: lieutenant-governor of Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) (1836–43): died while on a voyage to discover the Northwest Passage
Rosalind . 1920–58, British x-ray crystallographer. She contributed to the discovery of the structure of DNA, before her premature death from cancer

Medical definitions for ben franklin

Franklin
[ frăngklĭn ]
Rosalind 1920-1958

British biophysicist. Her x-ray diffraction studies of DNA led to the description of the full structure of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick.

Scientific definitions for ben franklin

Franklin
[ frăngklĭn ]
Benjamin 1706-1790

American public official, scientist, inventor, and writer who fully established the distinction between negative and positive electricity, proved that lightning and electricity are identical, and suggested that buildings could be protected by lightning conductors. He also invented bifocal glasses, established the direction of the prevailing storm track in North America and determined the existence of the Gulf Stream.