Fray

Quick meaning: Fray is a verb meaning To force or make (a path, way, etc.) through.

Meaning

To force or make (a path, way, etc.) through.

More Meanings

1. To bruise (someone or something); also, to take the virginity of (someone, usually a female person); to deflower.
2. To become unravelled or worn; to unravel.
3. Of a person's mental strength, nerves, temper, etc.: to become exhausted or worn out.
4. A consequence of rubbing, unravelling, or wearing away; a fraying; also, a place where fraying has occurred.
5. To alarm or frighten (someone or something).
6. To rub or wear away (something); to cause (something made of strands twisted or woven together, such as cloth or rope) to unravel through friction; also, to irritate (something) through chafing or rubbing; to chafe.

Example Sentences

The laces frayed at the cut end.

The hectic day ended in her nerves frayed.

S. Paul alſo defineth the law to be the knowlege of ſyn, yͭ is, which accuſeth, frayeth the cõſcience, & maketh ſynnes knowen.

Everything told of long use and quiet slow decay; the very bell-rope in the porch was frayed into a fringe, and hoary with old age.

Word Forms

• frays
• fraying
• frayed
• frayest
• frayedst
• frayeth

Synonyms for fray

Depending on context, synonyms include frazzle, affray, effray, fret, chafe, ruffle.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include frazzle, disturbance, scratch, affray, chafe, rub.

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