Definition of "frill" in English

noun

1. A strip of pleated fabric or paper used as decoration or trim.

   • 1777, Samuel Jackson Pratt (as Courtney Melmoth), Liberal Opinions, upon Animals, Man, and Providence, London: G. Robinson and J. Bew, Volume 5, Chapter 114, p. 163, […] one of her husband Jeffery’s shirts (with frills to the bosom) […]

2. (figurative) A substance or material on the edge of something, resembling such a strip of fabric.

3. (photography) A wrinkled edge to a film.

4. (figurative) Something extraneous or not essential; something purely for show or effect; a luxury.

5. (zoology) The relatively extensive margin seen on the back of the heads of reptiles, with either a bony support or a cartilaginous one.

6. (mycology) Synonym of armilla.

verb

1. (transitive) To make into a frill.

2. (intransitive) To become wrinkled.

3. (transitive) To provide or decorate with a frill or frills; to turn back in crimped plaits.

   • 1863, Charles Dickens, Mrs. Lirriper’s Lodgings, Chapter 4, in All the Year Round, Volume 10, Extra Christmas Number, 3 December, 1863, p. 35, Mrs. Sandham, formerly Kate Barford, is working at a baby’s frock, and asking now and then the advice of her sister, who is frilling a little cap.

verb

1. (intransitive, obsolete, falconry) To shake or shiver as with cold (with reference to a hawk).

2. (intransitive, obsolete, falconry) To cry (with reference to a bird of prey).

   • 1688, Randle Holme, The Academy of Armory, Chester: for the author, Book 2, Chapter 13, “Of the Voices of Birds,” p. 310, The Eagle Frilleth, or Scriketh The Hawk, as Falcon, Gawshawk, and all such Birds of Prey, cryeth, peepeth, or frilleth.