What does Free-Flowering mean?

[countrychic]

I'm trying to decide on a Clematis, and some are free-flowering. What does this mean as opposed to Repeat Bloomer (which I think I do understand, lol). (eg, Dr. Ruppel blooms from spring to summer)
The free-flowering Clematis blooms in May, or the other says 'very free flowering, blooms midsummer to late fall. Does this mean the same flower survives for that long?
huh? lol

[murphy]

I think and I might be wrong...free flowering means it blooms continuously without break...and re blooms means it has a down time in between sets of blooms.