Definitions for: Fray


[n] a noisy fight
[v] cause friction; "my sweater scratches"
[v] wear away by rubbing; "The friction frayed the sleeve"



Webster (1913) Definition: Fray (fr[=a]), n. [Abbreviated from affray.]
Affray; broil; contest; combat.

Who began this bloody fray? --Shak.


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.

What frays ye, that were wont to comfort me affrayed?
--Spenser.


Fray, v. t. [Cf. OF. fraier. See Defray, v. t.]
To bear the expense of; to defray. [Obs.]

The charge of my most curious and costly ingredients
frayed, I shall acknowledge myself amply satisfied.
--Massinger.


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, by rubbing; to
fret, as cloth; as, a deer is said to fray her head.


Fray, v. i.
1. To rub.

We can show the marks he made When 'gainst the oak
his antlers frayed. --Sir W.
Scott.

2. To wear out or into shreads, or to suffer injury by
rubbing, as when the threads of the warp or of the woof
wear off so that the cross threads are loose; to ravel;
as, the cloth frays badly.

A suit of frayed magnificience. --tennyson.


Fray, n.
A fret or chafe, as in cloth; a place injured by rubbing.

Synonyms: affray, chafe, disturbance, frazzle, fret, rub, ruffle, scratch

See Also: adjoin, break, bust, combat, contact, fall apart, fight, fighting, meet, touch, wear, wear out

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