fray

fray
I. transitive verb Etymology: Middle English fraien, short for affraien to affray Date: 14th century archaic scare; also to frighten away II. noun Date: 14th century a usually disorderly or protracted fight, struggle, or dispute III. verb Etymology: Middle English fraien, from Anglo-French freier, froier to rub, from Latin fricare — more at friction Date: 15th century transitive verb 1. a. to wear (as an edge of cloth) by or as if by rubbing ; fret b. to separate the threads at the edge of 2. strain, irritate <
tempers became a bit frayed
>
intransitive verb 1. to wear out or into shreds 2. to show signs of strain <
fraying nerves
>
IV. noun Date: 1630 a raveled place or worn spot (as on fabric)

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Fray — est une série de huit bandes dessinées de série limitées, un spin off futuriste de la série télévisée Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Écrit par Joss Whedon, la série suit une tueuse nommée Melaka Fray, une élue à un moment où les vampires (appelés… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • fray — Fray. subst. masc. Action de frayer du Poisson. Ce que font les poissons lorsqu ils s approchent pour la generation. Durant le fray, les poissons sont maigres. Il se dit aussi Des oeufs de poisson meslez avec ce qui les fait produire. Du fray de… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • fray — (fr[=a]), n. [Abbreviated from affray.] An angry quarrel; an affray; contest; combat; broil. [1913 Webster +PJC] Who began this bloody fray? Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fray — Fray, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Frayed} (fr[=a]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Fraying}.] [See 1st {Fray}, and cf. {Affray}.] To frighten; to terrify; to alarm. I. Taylor. [1913 Webster] What frays ye, that were wont to comfort me affrayed? Spenser. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fray — Fray, v. t. [OF. freier, fraier, froier, to rub. L. fricare; cf. friare to crumble, E. friable; perh. akin to Gr. chri ein to anoint, chri^sma an anointing, Skr. gh[.r]sh to rub, scratch. Cf. {Friction}.] To rub; to wear off, or wear into shreds …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fray — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: David Fray (* 1981), französischer Pianist Siehe auch: The Fray, US amerikanische Alternative Rock Band aus Denver Diese Seite ist eine Begriffsklärung zur Unte …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • fray — Ⅰ. fray [1] ► VERB 1) (of a fabric, rope, or cord) unravel or become worn at the edge. 2) (of a person s nerves or temper) show the effects of strain. ORIGIN Old French freiier, from Latin fricare to rub . Ⅱ. fray [2] …   English terms dictionary

  • Fray — Fray, v. t. [Cf. OF. fraier. See {Defray}, v. t.] To bear the expense of; to defray. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] The charge of my most curious and costly ingredients frayed, I shall acknowledge myself amply satisfied. Massinger. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fray — Fray, v. i. 1. To rub. [1913 Webster] We can show the marks he made When gainst the oak his antlers frayed. Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster] 2. To wear out or into shreads, or to suffer injury by rubbing, as when the threads of the warp or of the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fray — Fray, n. A fret or chafe, as in cloth; a place injured by rubbing. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • fray — [ freı ] verb intransitive or transitive 1. ) if a rope or piece of cloth frays or is frayed, the fibers in it become loose and start to come apart: The shirt cuffs are beginning to fray. 2. ) if someone s nerves or their TEMPER frays or is… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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