fray

¹fray

transitive verb \ˈfrā\

Definition of FRAY

archaic

: scare; also : to frighten away

Origin of FRAY

Middle English fraien, short for affraien to affray

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with FRAY

a, ae, bay, bey, blae, brae, bray, chez, clay, Cray, day, dey, dray, eh, fay, fey, flay, fley, frae, Frey, gay, Gay, gey, gley, gray, hay, he, hey, Hue, j, jay, Jay, k, kay, Kay, lay, lei, may, nay, né, née, neigh, Ney, pay, pe, play, pray, prey, qua, quai, quay, Rae, ray, re, say, shay, slay, sleigh, spae, spay, Spey, splay, spray, stay, stray, sway, Tay, they, tray, trey, way, weigh, whey, yea

²fray

noun

Definition of FRAY

: a usually disorderly or protracted fight, struggle, or dispute

First Known Use of FRAY

14th century

³fray

verb

Definition of FRAY

transitive verb

1

a : to wear (as an edge of cloth) by or as if by rubbing : fret

b : to separate the threads at the edge of

2

: strain, irritate <tempers became a bit frayed>

intransitive verb

1

: to wear out or into shreds

2

: to show signs of strain <fraying nerves>

Origin of FRAY

Middle English fraien, from Anglo-French freier, froier to rub, from Latin fricare — more at friction

First Known Use: 15th century

⁴fray

noun

Definition of FRAY

: a raveled place or worn spot (as on fabric)

First Known Use of FRAY

1630