fray
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Etymology 1
[edit] Noun
fray (plural frays)
- 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.
- 2010 December 29, Mark Vesty, “Wigan 2 - 2 Arsenal”, BBC:
- Wigan, unbeaten in five games at the DW Stadium, looked well in control but the catalyst for Arsenal's improvement finally came when Diaby left the field with a calf injury and Jack Wilshere came into the fray, bringing some much needed determination and urgency to lacklustre Arsenal.
- (archaic) fright
[edit] Translations
Affray; broil; contest; combat; brawl; melee
[edit] Etymology 2
From Old French frayer, from Latin fricō.
[edit] Verb
fray (third-person singular simple present frays, present participle fraying, simple past and past participle frayed)
- (intransitive) 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.
- (intransitive, figuratively) To cause exhaustion, wear out (a person's mental strength).
- The stressful day ended in frayed nerves. (Metaphorical use; nerves are visualised as strings)
- (transitive) (archaic) frighten
- 1662, Henry More, An Antidote Against Atheism, Book II, A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More, p. 63:
- "Besides, all the wit and Philosophy in the world can never demonstrate, that the killing and slaughtering of a Beast is anymore then the striking of a Bush where a Bird's Nest is, where you fray away the Bird, and then seize upon the empty Nest."
- 1662, Henry More, An Antidote Against Atheism, Book II, A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More, p. 63:
[edit] Translations
unravel
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to wear out
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[edit] Spanish
[edit] Etymology
[edit] Noun
fray m. (plural frays)
