fray: Meaning and Definition of

fray

1. a fight, battle, or skirmish.
2. a competition or contest, esp. in sports.
3. a noisy quarrel or brawl.
4. fright.

1. to frighten.

1. to fight or brawl.

fray

1. to wear (cloth, rope, etc.) to loose, raveled threads or fibers at the edge or end; cause to ravel out.
2. to wear by rubbing (sometimes fol. by through).
3. to cause strain on (something); upset; discompose: The argument frayed their nerves.
4. to rub.

1. to become frayed, as cloth; ravel out: My sweater frayed at the elbows.
2. to rub against something: tall grass fraying against my knees.

1. a frayed part, as in cloth: frays at the toes of well-worn sneakers.