Definition of "fray" in English

verb

1. 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.

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

3. To bruise (someone or something); also, to take the virginity of (someone, usually a female person); to deflower.

4. To become unravelled or worn; to unravel.

5. To rub.

6. Of a person's mental strength, nerves, temper, etc.: to become exhausted or worn out.

   • The hectic day ended in her nerves frayed.

noun

1. A consequence of rubbing, unravelling, or wearing away; a fraying; also, a place where fraying has occurred.

   • The laces frayed at the cut end.

verb

1. To alarm or frighten (someone or something).

2. Often followed by away, off, or out: to frighten or scare (someone or something) away.

3. To assail or attack (someone or something); to drive (someone or something) away by attacking.

4. To chase (someone or something) away; to disperse.

5. To be afraid or frightened; to fear.

6. To make an assault or attack; also, to create a disturbance; to brawl, to fight.

noun

1. (countable) A noisy commotion, especially resulting from fighting; a brawl, a fight; also, a loud quarrel.

   • Though they did not know the reason for the dispute, they did not hesitate to leap into the fray.

2. (countable, figuratively) A heated argument; a war of words.

3. (uncountable) Conflict, disagreement.

4. An assault or attack.

5. A loud noise; a cacophony, a din.

6. Fright, terror; (countable) an instance of this.

verb

1. (transitive, obsolete, rare) To bear the expense of (something); to defray.