Chapter Friar's Tale to Froth of F by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Frollo (Claude), an archdeacon, absorbed by a search after the philosopher’s stone. He has a great reputation for sanctity, but entertains a base passion for Esmeralda, the beautiful gipsy girl. Quasimodo flings him into the air from the top of Notre Dame, and dashes him to death.—Victor Hugo: Notre Dame de Paris (1831).

Fronde War (The), a political squabble during the ministry of Mazarin in the minority of Louis XIV. (1648–1653).

Frondeur, a “Mrs. Candour,” a backbiter, a railer, a scandal-monger; any one who flings stones at another. (French, frondeur, “a slinger,” fronde, “a sling.”)

“And what about Diebitsch?” began another frondeur.—Véra, 200.

Frondeurs, the malcontents in the Fronde war.

They were like schoolboys who sling stones about the streets. When no eye is upon them they are bold as bullies; but the moment a “policeman” approaches, off they scamper to any ditch for concealment.—Montglat.

Front de Bœuf (Sir Reginald), a follower of prince John of Anjou, and one of the knight’s challengers. He tries to extort money from Isaac the Jew, and bids two slaves to chain him to the bars of a slow fire, but they are disturbed in this diabolical plot by the bugle’s sound.—Sir W. Scott: Ivanhoe (time, Richard I.).

Frontaletto, the name of Sacripant’s horse. The word means “Little head.”—Ariosto: Orlando Furioso (1516).

Frontino, the horse of Bradamante . Rogero’s horse bore the same name. The word means “Little head.”—Ariosto: Orlando Furioso (1516).

The renowned Frontino, which Bradamantê purchased at so high a price, could never be thought thy equal [i.e. Rosinante’s equal].—Cervantes: Don Quixote (1605).

Frost (Fack), Frost personified.

Jack Frost looked forth one still, clear night,
And he said, “Now I shall be out of sight,
So over the valley and over the height
In silence I’ll take my way.”
   —Miss Gould.

Froth (Master), a foolish gentleman. Too shallow for a great crime and too light for virtue.—Shakespeare: Measure for Measure (1603).

Froth (Lord), a good boon companion; but he vows that “he laughs at nobody’s jests but his own or a lady’s.” He says, “Nothing is more unbecoming a man of quality than a laugh; ’tis such a vulgar expression of the passion; every one can laugh.” To lady Froth he is most gallant and obsequious, though her fidelity to her liege lord is by no means immaculate.

Lady Froth, a lady of letters, who writes songs, elegies, satires, lampoons, plays, and so on. She thinks her lord the most polished of all men, and his bow the pattern of grace and elegance. Lady Froth writes an heroic poem called The Syllabub, the subject of which is lord Froth’s love to herself. In this poem she calls her lord “Spumoso” (Froth), and herself “Biddy” (her own name). Her conduct with Mr. Brisk is most blamable.—Congreve: The Double Dealer (1700).