Definition

1. Verb:

   • To search someone for concealed items: To quickly and systematically use one's hands to feel over a person's clothing and body to check for hidden weapons, illegal drugs, or other contraband, typically done by law enforcement.
   • To move or behave playfully and energetically: To jump, skip, or run about in a lively, playful, and cheerful manner.

2. Noun:

   • The act of frisking: A quick search of a person's outer clothing, typically conducted by running the hands over them to find concealed items.

Usage Examples

• Verb (to search):
  • Security personnel have the right to frisk passengers if they suspect a threat.
  • The officer frisked the suspect before placing him in the patrol car.
• Verb (to move playfully):
  • The puppies would frisk around the yard every morning.
  • Lambs frisked in the spring meadow.
• Noun:
  • The police gave him a thorough frisk at the checkpoint.
  • A quick frisk revealed the hidden tool.

Advanced Usage

• "To give someone a frisk": To perform a physical search on a person.
  • The bouncer gave the unruly patron a frisk before allowing him back inside.
• Used in legal and security contexts to describe a specific type of search less intrusive than a full body search.

Variants and Related Words

• Frisky (adj): Playful and full of energy.
  • The frisky kitten chased after the ball of yarn.

Synonyms

• Verb (to search): Pat down, search, inspect.
• Verb (to move playfully): Frolic, gambol, romp, cavort, skip.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Compounds

• Frisk down (verb, informal): To search someone thoroughly by frisking.
  • The guards frisked down each visitor before the event.

Related Idioms

• None directly associated with the core meanings of "frisk".

Noun

1. the act of searching someone for concealed weapons or illegal drugs
   • he gave the suspect a quick frisk

Verb

1. search as for concealed weapons by running the hands rapidly over the clothing and through the pockets
   • The police frisked everyone at the airport
2. play boisterously
   • The children frolicked in the garden
   • the gamboling lambs in the meadows
   • The toddlers romped in the playroom