| English > English | |
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| fray | |
| 1. n. A fight or argument |  |
| Though they did not know the reason for the dispute, they did not hesitate to leap into the fray. | |
| 2. n. (archaic) fright | |
| 3. v. (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. | |
| 4. v. (intransitive, figuratively) To cause exhaustion, wear out (a person's mental strength). | |
| The hectic day ended in frayed nerves. (Metaphorical use; nerves are visualised as strings) | |
| 5. v. (transitive, archaic) frighten; alarm | |
| 6. v. To bear the expense of; to defray. | |
| 7. v. (intransitive) To rub. | |
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