Freshen One's Way, verb. phr. (nautical).—To hurry; to quicken one's movements. [The wind freshens when it rises.]
Freshen Up, verb. phr. (colloquial).
To clean; to vamp; to revive; to
smarten.
Fresher, subs. (University).—An
undergraduate in his first term.
Freshers. The Freshers, subs.
(University).—That part of the
Cam which lies between the Mill
and Byron's Pool. So called because
it is frequented by freshmen
(q.v.).
Freshman (or Fresher), subs.
(University).—A University man
during his first year. In Dublin
University he is a junior freshman
during his first year, and a
Senior Freshman the Second
year. At Oxford the title lasts
for the first term. Ger., Fuchs.
1596. Nashe, Saffron Walden, in wks. iii., 8. When he was but yet a freshman in Cambridge.
1611. Middleton, Roaring Girl, Act iii., Sc. 3. S. Alex. Then he's a graduate. S. Davy. Say they trust him not. S. Alex. Then is he held a freshman and a sot.
1767. Colman, Oxonian in Town, ii., 3. And now I find you as dull and melancholy as a freshman at college after a jobation.
1841. Lever, Charles O'Malley, ch. xiv. 'This is his third year,' said the Doctor, 'and he is only a freshman, having lost every examination.'
1891. Sporting Life, 20 Mar. The mile, bar accidents, will be a gift to B. C. Allen, of Corpus, who has more than maintained the reputation he gained as a fresher.
Adj. (University).—Of, or pertaining to, a freshman, or a first year student.
Freshmanship, subs. (old).—Of
the quality or state of being a
freshman.
1605. Jonson, Volpone, or the Fox, iv., 3. Well, wise Sir Pol., since you have practised thus, Upon my freshmanship, I'll try your salt-head With what proof it is against a counter-plot.
Freshman's Bible, subs. phr.
(University).—The University
Calendar.
Freshman's Church, subs. phr.
(University).—The Pitt Press at
Cambridge. [From its ecclesiastical
architecture.]
Freshman's Landmark, subs. phr.
(University).—King's College
Chapel, Cambridge. [From the
situation.]
Freshwater Mariner (or Seaman),
subs. phr. (old).—A beggar
shamming sailor; a turnpike
sailor (q.v.).
1567. Harman, Caveat (1869), p. 48, These freshwater mariners, their shipes were drowned in the playne of Salisbury. These kynde . . . counterfet great losses on the sea.
1690. B. E., New Dict. of the Canting Crew. Freshwater seamen, that have never been on the salt, or made any Voyage, meer Land-Men.
Freshwater Soldier, Subs. Phr.
(old).—A raw recruit.
1598. Florio, A Worlde of Wordes, Biancone. A goodly, great milke-soppe, a fresh water soldier.
1603. Knolles, Hist. of the Turkes. The nobility, as freshwater soldiers, which had never seen but some slight skirmishes, made light account of the Turks.
1696. Nomenclator. Bachelier aux armes, nouveau ou jeune soudard. A freshwater souldier: a young souldier: a novice: one that is trayned up to serve in the field.
