Definition of "free lance" [free lance]

• In the Middle Ages, and subsequently, a knight or roving soldier, who was free to engage for any state or commander that purchased his services; hence, a person who assails institutions or opinions on his own responsibility without regard to party lines or deference to authority. See also freelance, n. and a., and freelancer. (noun)

Gnu Collaboartive International Dictionary of English: licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)

• "At any rate, as the issue of a great deal of lively discussion, the parents agreed to let Honore make a two years 'experiment as a free lance in the ranks of the book-writing tribe."