Fret dictionary definition

fret

[fret]

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noun

The definition of a fret is a worry or an annoyance.
An example of fret is the fear of living by one's self for the first time.

verb

Fret is defined as to feel worry or annoyance about something.
An example of fret is to fear a move into college.

A woman fretting about something.

fret definition by Webster's New World

Search Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb fretted, fretting

to eat away; gnaw
to wear away by gnawing, rubbing, corroding, etc.
to make or form by wearing away
to make rough; disturb: wind fretting the water
to irritate; vex; annoy; worry

Origin: Middle English freten ; from Old English fretan, to devour, akin to German fressen, Gothic fra-itan ; from Germanic prefix an unverified form fra- (OE for-: see for-) plush an unverified form itan, to eat (OE etan: see eat)

intransitive verb

to gnaw (into, on, or upon)
to become eaten, corroded, worn, frayed, etc.
to become rough or disturbed
to be irritated, annoyed, or querulous; worry

noun

a wearing away
a worn place
irritation; worry

Related Forms:

fretter noun

noun

an ornamental net or network, esp. one formerly worn by women as a headdress
an ornamental pattern of small, straight bars intersecting or joining one another, usually at right angles, to form a regular design, as for a border or in an architectural relief

Origin: Middle English frette, probably merging of Old French frete (Fr frette), interlaced work, with Old English frætwa, ornament (from source uncertain or unknown; perhaps Old French frete)

transitive verb fretted, fretting

to ornament with a fret

noun

any of several narrow, lateral ridges fixed across the fingerboard of a banjo, guitar, mandolin, etc. to regulate the fingering

Origin: Old French frette, a band, ferrule

transitive verb fretted, fretting

to furnish with frets
to press the strings (of a banjo, etc.) against the frets

Related Forms:

fretless adjective

fret definition by American Heritage Dictionary

Search The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language

verb fret·ted, fret·ting, frets verb, transitive

To cause to be uneasy; vex: “fret thy soul with crosses and with cares” (Edmund Spenser).
a. To gnaw or wear away; erode.
b. To produce a hole or worn spot in; corrode. See Synonyms at chafe.
To form (a passage or channel) by erosion.
To disturb the surface of (water or a stream); agitate.

verb, intransitive

To be vexed or troubled; worry. See Synonyms at brood.
To be worn or eaten away; become corroded.
To move agitatedly.
To gnaw with the teeth in the manner of a rodent.

noun

The act or an instance of fretting.
A hole or worn spot made by abrasion or erosion.
Irritation of mind; agitation.

Origin: Middle English freten, from Old English fretan, to devour; see ed- in Indo-European roots.

noun

One of several ridges set across the fingerboard of a stringed instrument, such as a guitar.

transitive verb fret·ted, fret·ting, frets

To provide with frets.
To press (the strings of an instrument) against the frets.

Origin: Origin unknown.

noun

An ornamental design consisting of repeated and symmetrical geometric figures, often in relief, contained within a band or border. Also called key pattern.
A headdress, worn by women of the Middle Ages, consisting of interlaced wire.

transitive verb fret·ted, fret·ting, frets

To provide with such a design or headdress.

Origin: Middle English, interlaced work, from Old French frete.