/ freɪ; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
if cloth frays or sth frays it, the threads in it start to come apart :
[ v ]
The cuffs of his shirt were fraying.
This material frays easily.
[ vn ]
It was fashionable to fray the bottoms of your jeans.
2.
if sb's nerves or temper frays or sth frays them, the person starts to get irritated or annoyed :
[ v ]
As the debate went on, tempers began to fray.
[also vn ]
► frayed adjective :
frayed denim shorts
Tempers were getting very frayed.
•
IDIOMS
- fray at / around the edges / seams
■ noun
the fray [ sing. ] a fight, a competition or an argument, especially one that is exciting or seen as a test of your ability :
They were ready for the fray.
to enter / join the fray
At 71, he has now retired from the political fray.
••
WORD ORIGIN
verb late Middle English : from Old French freiier , from Latin fricare to rub.
noun late Middle English : from archaic fray to quarrel , from affray startle , from Anglo-Norman French afrayer disturb, startle, based on an element of Germanic origin related to Old English frithu peace, safety .