■ noun
1》 a border of threads, tassels, or twists, used to edge clothing or material.
2》 chiefly Brit. the front part of someone's hair, cut so as to hang over the forehead.
↘a natural border of hair or fibres in an animal or plant.
3》 the outer or marginal part of something.
↘[as modifier ] not part of the mainstream; unconventional: ~ theatre.
4》 a band of contrasting brightness or darkness produced by diffraction or interference of light.
↘a strip of false colour in an optical image.
5》 US short for ~ benefit .
■ verb provide with or form a ~.
Derivatives
~less adjective
fringing noun
fringy adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr. frenge , based on late L. fimbria , earlier a plural noun meaning 'fibres, shreds'.