I. frame 1 S3 W3 /freɪm/ BrE AmE noun
1 . BORDER [countable] a structure made of wood, metal, plastic etc that surrounds something such as a picture or window, and holds it in place:
They removed the picture from its wooden frame.
door/window/picture frame
2 . STRUCTURE [countable] the structure or main supporting parts of a piece of furniture, vehicle, or other object:
a bicycle frame
the frame of the chair
3 . BODY [countable] the general shape formed by the bones of someone’s body
large/thin/slight etc frame
4 . GLASSES [countable usually plural] the metal or plastic part of a pair of ↑ glass es that holds the ↑ lens es
5 . MAIN FACTS/IDEAS [countable usually singular] the main ideas, facts etc that something is based on:
A clear explanation of the subject provides a frame on which a deeper understanding can be built.
Some comments may or may not be understood as harassment, depending on your frame of reference (=knowledge and beliefs that influence the way you think) .
6 . be in/out of the frame (for something) to have or not have the chance to take part in something SYN be in/out of the running (for something) :
Liverpool are in the frame for a place in the Cup Final.
7 . FILM [countable] an area of film that contains one photograph, or one of the series of separate photographs that make up a film or video
8 . SPORT [countable] a complete part in the games of ↑ snooker or ↑ bowling :
I won the next three frames.
9 . INTERNET [countable] one of the areas into which a ↑ webpage is divided
⇨ ↑ climbing frame , ↑ cold frame , ⇨ frame of mind at ↑ mind 1 (15)
II. frame 2 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: framian 'to be helpful to, make progress' ]
1 . to surround something with something else so that it looks attractive or can be seen clearly:
Sarah’s face was framed by her long dark hair.
She stood there, framed against the doorway.
2 . to put a picture in a structure that will hold it firmly:
I’m going to get the picture framed.
a framed photograph
3 . to deliberately make someone seem guilty of a crime when they are not guilty, by lying to the police or in a court of law SYN set up :
Needham’s lawyers claimed that he had been framed by the police.
frame somebody for something
The two men were framed for murder.
4 . formal to carefully plan the way you are going to ask a question, make a statement etc:
She wondered how she was going to frame the question.
5 . formal to organize and develop a plan, system etc:
Newman played a central role in framing the new law.
6 . gilt-framed/wood-framed etc having a frame or frames of a particular colour or material:
wire-framed spectacles