I. fray 1 /freɪ/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: French ; Origin: frayer , from Latin fricare ; ⇨ ↑ friction ]
1 . if cloth or other material frays, or if something frays it, the threads become loose because the material is old:
The collar had started to fray on Ed’s coat.
He had frayed the bottom of his jeans.
2 . if someone’s temper or nerves fray, or if something frays them, they become annoyed:
Tempers soon began to fray.
—frayed adjective :
The carpet was badly frayed.
II. fray 2 BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Origin: affray ]
the fray an argument or fight:
Three civilians were injured during the fray.
into the fray
He launched himself into the fray.
join/enter the fray
The other soldiers quickly joined the fray, launching missile attacks in the city.