See Also: fray(medicine)
fray(1)(dictionary)
fray(2)(dictionary)
fray(3)(dictionary)
fray(4)(dictionary)
fray 1, verb(dictionary)
fray 2, noun(dictionary)
Fray Inversiones, SICAV, S.A.(finance)
Fray Jorge National Park(encyclopedia)

fray(4) (iou)



fray verb2. LME.
[French frayer, earlier freiier, froiier, from Latin fricare rub.]
verb trans. & intrans. Of a deer: rub (its head) against something to remove the velvet from its newly formed horns. LME.
a. verb trans. Wear through by rubbing; ravel out the edge or end of (something woven or twisted); fig. strain (the nerves or temper). Formerly also, bruise. LME.
E. Bowen The.., situation more and more frayed the young men's already battle-strained nerves. D. Lodge O'Shea's suit was baggy and threadbare, his shirts were frayed.
b. verb intrans. (Of material) become ragged at the edge, unravel; fig. (of nerves or temper) become strained. E18.
G. Greene The cuffs had frayed and been repaired.
verb trans. Clear, force, (a path, way, etc.). L18.
J. G. Farrell Think of..the camel! Adapted..for the desert regions through which it frays its diurnal passage.
fraying verbal noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) an abrasion on a tree, or the discarded velvet, resulting from a deer's fraying: LME.