- freelance (n.)
- also free lance, free-lance, "medieval mercenary warrior," 1820 ("Ivanhoe"), from free (adj.) + lance (n.); apparently a coinage of Sir Walter Scott's. Figurative sense is from 1864; specifically of journalism by 1882.
- freelance (v.)
- 1902, from freelance (n.). Related: Freelancer (1898); freelanced; freelancing.