Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - franklin

 noun  Etymology: Middle English frankeleyn, from Anglo-French franclein, from franc  Date: 14th century a medieval English landowner of free but not noble birth FRANKLIN  I. biographical name Benjamin 1706-1790 American statesman & philosopher  II. biographical name Sir John 1786-1847 English arctic explorer  III. biographical name Rosalind Elsie 1920-1958 English biophysicist  IV. geographical name  1. town E central Massachusetts population 29,560  2. town central Tennessee S of Nashville population 41,842  3. city SE Wisconsin, a SSW suburb of Milwaukee population 29,494  4. former district Canada in N Northwest Territories including Arctic islands & Boothia & Melville peninsulas; area now divided between Nunavut & Northwest Territories