Freilich

Freilich is a German adverb meaning "indeed," "certainly," or "to be sure." It is used to acknowledge a proposition or to add emphasis, often in response to another statement. In contemporary German it can convey a mild concession or a strong assent, and its tone ranges from literary or formal to slightly old-fashioned depending on context. For example, Freilich hat er Recht translates roughly as "Of course he is right."

Etymology: The adverb derives from Middle High German freilîh, formed from frei "free" plus a derivational suffix -lîh. It is related to other Germanic forms and shares semantic links with the modern adjective frei. The word has retained a relatively stable form and pronunciation over time.

Beyond its use as a word, Freilich is also a surname. It is of German or Ashkenazi Jewish origin, with variants such as Freilech, Freilik, or Freilick reflecting different transliterations and regional spellings. As a surname, Freilich is found among Jewish and German diaspora communities, principally in North America and Europe.

In summary, Freilich functions in German as a versatile modal adverb with origins in Middle High German, while also existing as a hereditary surname with multiple transliterations.