fret

verb \ ˈfret \

Editor's Note: fret and Eating

Definition of fret

fretted; fretting

transitive verb

1 a : to eat or gnaw into : corrode; also : fray

The acid fretted the metal.

b : rub, chafe

The harness strap was fretting the horse.

c : to make by wearing away a substance

the stream fretted a channel

2 : to cause to suffer emotional strain : vex

don't you fret yourself about me
—J. C. Powys

3 : to pass (time) in fretting

a poor player who struts and frets his hour upon the stage
—William Shakespeare

4 : agitate, ripple

fret the surface of the lake

intransitive verb

1 a : to eat into something

b : to affect something as if by gnawing or biting : grate

the … urgent voice fretted at his nerves
—Graham Greene

2 a : wear, corrode

Marble frets away due to the rain.

b : chafe

His back where the harness rubbed began to fret.

c : fray 1

3 a : to become vexed or worried

fretting over the high cost of feeding their families
—Vance Packard

b of running water : to become agitated

a brook fretting over rocks

fret was our Word of the Day on 08/19/2016. Hear the podcast!

fret and Eating

Since its first use centuries ago, fret has referred to an act of eating, especially when done by animals—in particular, small ones. You might speak, for example, of moths fretting your clothing. Like eat, fret also developed figurative senses to describe actions that corrode or wear away. A river could be said to "fret away" at its banks or something might be said to be "fretted out" with time or age. Fret can also be applied to emotional experiences so that something that "eats away at us" might be said to "fret the heart or mind." This use developed into the specific meaning of "vex" or "worry" with which we often use fret today.

Origin and Etymology of fret

Middle English, to devour, fret, from Old English fretan to devour; akin to Old High German frezzan to devour, ezzan to eat — more at eat

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 12th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

fret

noun

Definition of fret

1 a : the action of wearing away : erosion

b : a worn or eroded spot

2 : an agitation of mind : irritation

Origin and Etymology of fret

see ¹fret

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

fret

verb

Definition of fret

fretted; fretting

transitive verb

1 a : to decorate with interlaced designs

b : to form a pattern upon

2 : to enrich with embossed or pierced carved patterns

Origin and Etymology of fret

Middle English, back-formation from fret, fretted adorned, interwoven, from Anglo-French fretté, past participle of fretter to tie, probably from Vulgar Latin *firmitare, from Latin firmus firm

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year