(adj): prenominal), free-lance(prenominal), freelance(prenominal) -- (serving for wages in a foreign army
(adj): vs. unpaid) -- (marked by the reception of pay
(n): a writer or artist who sells services to different employers without a long-term contract with any of them
(n): a person who works at a specific occupation
(v): work independently and on temporary contracts rather than for a long-term employer
(v): be employed
Funny, that's how I've always thought of this word. Nice to know my presumption is backed by the OED. ;-)
I never even considered that as the origin of this turn, this is awesome.
I love the idea of a "free lance" as a mercenary knight, even though I don't think this word was used in the Middle Ages.
Usage cited in OED: "I offered Richard the service of my Free Lances." Sir Walter Scott, _Ivanhoe_, xxxiv, 1820.