free-v; 3 Senses

Sense Number 1: release from confinement, obligation, or a burden

Examples:
After a ten-hour siege the gunman agreed to free the hostages.
The defendants were freed after their acquittal.
When I was finally freed from detention, I ran straight home.
Both men were freed from the wreckage after a four-hour operation.
Fortunately, tilting the case back and forth freed the screw.
They should be freed from cares and troubles about the affairs of the world.
This practice will free you from fear and fill you with courage.
Free your imagination!

Mappings:
VerbNet: free-80-1
FrameNet: NP
PropBank: free.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8

Sense Number 2: rid something of an undesirable thing

Examples:
Have you freed your school of squirrels?
Warren Buffett, the American billionaire, recently freed himself of some of his worldly goods.
His main concern will be to correct his growing methods to help the plants free themselves of pests.
She freed a path across the cluttered floor.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NP
PropBank: free.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2, 7

Sense Number 3: make something available for use

Commentary: Includes: FREE UP

Examples:
We have 80% of the hardware needed for human lunar missions already developed, and have freed the funds required to develop the rest.
They planned to extend the car park, freeing existing parking spaces for visitors.
I need to free up the afternoon to write this report.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NP
PropBank: free.02
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 5, 9, 11