fray

fray
1. noun /freɪ/
Affray; broil; contest; combat; brawl; melee.

Though they did not know the reason for the dispute, they did not hesitate to leap into the fray.

2. verb /freɪ/
a) To unravel; used particularly for the edge of something made of cloth, or the end of a rope.

The ribbon frayed at the cut end.

b) To cause exhaustion, wear out (a persons mental strength).

The stressful day ended in frayed nerves. (Metaphorical use; nerves are visualised as strings)


Wikipedia foundation.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Fray — est une série de huit bandes dessinées de série limitées, un spin off futuriste de la série télévisée Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Écrit par Joss Whedon, la série suit une tueuse nommée Melaka Fray, une élue à un moment où les vampires (appelés… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • fray — Fray. subst. masc. Action de frayer du Poisson. Ce que font les poissons lorsqu ils s approchent pour la generation. Durant le fray, les poissons sont maigres. Il se dit aussi Des oeufs de poisson meslez avec ce qui les fait produire. Du fray de… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • fray — (fr[=a]), n. [Abbreviated from affray.] An angry quarrel; an affray; contest; combat; broil. [1913 Webster +PJC] Who began this bloody fray? Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fray — 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. [1913 Webster] What frays ye, that were wont to comfort me affrayed? Spenser. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fray — 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 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fray — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: David Fray (* 1981), französischer Pianist Siehe auch: The Fray, US amerikanische Alternative Rock Band aus Denver Diese Seite ist eine Begriffsklärung zur Unte …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • fray — Ⅰ. fray [1] ► VERB 1) (of a fabric, rope, or cord) unravel or become worn at the edge. 2) (of a person s nerves or temper) show the effects of strain. ORIGIN Old French freiier, from Latin fricare to rub . Ⅱ. fray [2] …   English terms dictionary

  • Fray — Fray, v. t. [Cf. OF. fraier. See {Defray}, v. t.] To bear the expense of; to defray. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] The charge of my most curious and costly ingredients frayed, I shall acknowledge myself amply satisfied. Massinger. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fray — Fray, v. i. 1. To rub. [1913 Webster] We can show the marks he made When gainst the oak his antlers frayed. Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster] 2. To wear out or into shreads, or to suffer injury by rubbing, as when the threads of the warp or of the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Fray — Fray, n. A fret or chafe, as in cloth; a place injured by rubbing. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • fray — [ freı ] verb intransitive or transitive 1. ) if a rope or piece of cloth frays or is frayed, the fibers in it become loose and start to come apart: The shirt cuffs are beginning to fray. 2. ) if someone s nerves or their TEMPER frays or is… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”