or Franc, an ancient coin, either of gold or silver, struck and current in France. The value of the gold franc was something more than that of the gold crown: this coin has been long out of use, though the term is still retained as the name of a money of account: in which sense it is equivalent to the livre, or 20 sols.

or France, meaning literally free from charges and impositions, or exempt from public taxes, has various significations in the ancient English customs.