GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 6 definitions

  1.       
    
    fray , n. [Abbreviated from affray.] An angry quarrel; an affray; contest; combat; broil.
    1913 Webster
    +PJC

    Who began this bloody fray?
    Shak.

    1913 Webster

  2.       
    
    Fray, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Frayed ; 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.

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  3.       
    
    Fray, v. t. [Cf. OF. fraier. See Defray, v. t.] To bear the expense of; to defray. [Obs.]
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    The charge of my most curious and costly ingredients frayed, I shall acknowledge myself amply satisfied.
    Massinger.

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  4.       
    
    Fray, v. t. [OF. freier, fraier, froier, to rub. L. fricare; cf. friare to crumble, E. friable; perh. akin to Gr. χρίειν to anoint, χρῖσμα an anointing, Skr. ghṛsh 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.
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  5.       
    
    Fray, v. i.
    1. To rub.
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      We can show the marks he made
      When 'gainst the oak his antlers frayed.
      Sir W. Scott.

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    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.
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      A suit of frayed magnificience.
      tennyson.

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  6.       
    
    Fray, n. A fret or chafe, as in cloth; a place injured by rubbing.
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