fray Hear it!

fray1 definition

fray (frā)

noun

a noisy quarrel or fight; brawl

Etymology: ME frai, aphetic < affrai, affray

transitive verb

Archaic to frighten

Etymology: ME fraien

fray2 definition

fray (frā)

transitive verb, intransitive verb

  1. to make or become worn, ragged, or raveled by rubbing
  2. to make or become weakened or strained

Etymology: ME fraien < OFr freier < L fricare, to rub: see friction

noun

a frayed place, as in cloth

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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