I. ˈfrinj noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English frenge, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin * frimbia, from Latin fimbriae (plural)
Date: 14th century
1. : an ornamental border consisting of short straight or twisted threads or strips hanging from cut or raveled edges or from a separate band
2.
a. : something resembling a fringe : edge , periphery — often used in plural
operated on the fringe s of the law
b. chiefly British : bang IV
c. : one of various light or dark bands produced by the interference or diffraction of light
d. : an area bordering a putting green on a golf course with grass trimmed longer than on the green itself
3.
a. : something that is marginal, additional, or secondary to some activity, process, or subject
a fringe sport
b. : a group with marginal or extremist views
c. : fringe benefit
• fringy ˈfrin-jē adjective
II. transitive verb
( fringed ; fring·ing ˈfrin-jiŋ)
Date: 15th century
1. : to furnish or adorn with a fringe
2. : to serve as a fringe for : border