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free2 W3 past tense and past participle freed, present participle freeing [transitive]
1 to allow someone to leave prison or somewhere they have been kept as a prisoner [= release]: 
He expects to be freed quite soon.The terrorists have at last agreed to free the hostages.
release
He expects to be freed quite soon.The terrorists have at last agreed to free the hostages.2 to allow someone to say and do what they want, after controlling or restricting them in the past Art frees the imagination.
not control
free somebody from/of something The press has now been freed from political control. She longed to be freed of her responsibilities.
The press has now been freed from political control.She longed to be freed of her responsibilities.Art frees the imagination.3 to move someone or something so that they are no longer held, fixed, or trapped [= release]: He struggled to free himself, but the ropes were too tight. I couldn't free the safety catch.
allow somebody/something to move
He struggled to free himself, but the ropes were too tight.I couldn't free the safety catch.4 to stop someone suffering from something by removing it
stop somebody suffering
free somebody from something new drugs that can free people from pain At last the country has been freed from its enormous debts.
new drugs that can free people from painAt last the country has been freed from its enormous debts.5 to make something available so that it can be used : I need to free up some of the disk space on my computer. This should free some money for investment.
make available
also free something ↔ upI need to free up some of the disk space on my computer.This should free some money for investment.6 to give someone time to do something by taking away other jobs that they have to do
give somebody more time
also free somebody ↔ up free somebody (up) to do something Taking away the burden of administration will free teachers to concentrate on teaching. We have freed up some staff to deal with the backlog of work.
Taking away the burden of administration will free teachers to concentrate on teaching.We have freed up some staff to deal with the backlog of work.
