Frame Definition

frām

framed, frames, framing

noun

frames

The presentation of events in a narrative work, especially a work of literature or film, such that characters in the narrative exist in isolation, uninfluenced by, unaware of, and unable to interact with the narrator or audience.

American Heritage

Any of various machines built on or in a framework.

Webster's New World

Shape; form.

American Heritage

The way that anything is constructed or put together; organization; form.

Webster's New World

Basic or skeletal structure around which a thing is built and that gives the thing its shape; framework, as of a house.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

verb

framed, frames, framing

To conceive or design.

Framed an alternate proposal.

American Heritage

To shape, fashion, or form, usually according to a pattern; design.

To frame a constitution.

Webster's New World

To establish the context for and terminology regarding (a subject of discussion or debate), especially so as to exclude an unwanted point of view.

The question was framed to draw only one answer.

American Heritage

To enclose in a frame.

Frame a painting.

American Heritage

To put together the parts of; construct.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
fix
put up a job on
plant
shop (British)
double-cross
entrap
conspire against
falsely incriminate
set up
mat
back
encase
enclose
mount
border

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
destroy
raze

adjective

Having a wooden framework, usually covered with boards.

A frame house.

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Frame

Noun

Singular:

frame

Plural:

frames

Origin of Frame

From Middle English framen, fremen, fremmen (“to construct, build, strengthen, refresh, perform, execute, profit, avail”), from Old English framian, fremian, fremman (“to profit, avail, advance, perform, promote, execute, commit, do”), from Proto-Germanic *framjaną (“to perform, promote”), from Proto-Indo-European *promo- (“front, forward”). Cognate with Low German framen (“to commit, effect”), Danish fremme (“to promote, further, perform”), Swedish främja (“to promote, encourage, forster”), Icelandic fremja (“to commit”). More at from.

From Wiktionary
Middle English from framen to make progress, to frame from Old English framian to avail, profit from fram forward from

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition