FRAY

I. transitive verb Etymology: Middle English fraien, short for affraien to af~ Date: 14th century scare , II. noun Date: 14th century a usually disorderly or protracted fight, struggle, or dispute, III. verb see: friction Date: 15th century transitive verb 1. to wear (as an edge of cloth) by or as if by rubbing ; fret , to separate the threads at the edge of, strain , irritate , intransitive verb to wear out or into shreds, to show signs of strain , IV. noun Date: 1630 a raveled place or worn spot (as on fabric)