v. & n.
v. (fretted, fretting) 1 intr. a be greatly and visibly worried or distressed. b be irritated or resentful. 2 tr. a cause anxiety or distress to. b irritate, annoy. 3 tr. wear or consume by gnawing or rubbing. 4 tr. form (a channel or passage) by wearing away. 5 intr. (of running water) flow or rise in little waves.
n. irritation, vexation, querulousness (esp. in a fret).
[ OE fretan f. Gmc, rel. to EAT ]