n. & v.
--n.
1. a case or border enclosing a picture, window, door, etc.
2 the basic rigid supporting structure of anything, e.g. of a building, motor vehicle, or aircraft.
3 (in pl.) the structure of spectacles holding the lenses.
4 a human or animal body, esp. with reference to its size or structure (his frame shook with laughter).
5 a framed work or structure (the frame of heaven).
6 a an established order, plan, or system (the frame of society). b construction, constitution, build.
7 a temporary state (esp. in frame of mind).
8 a single complete image or picture on a cinema film or transmitted in a series of lines by television.
9 a a triangular structure for positioning the balls in snooker etc. b the balls positioned in this way. c a round of play in snooker etc.
10 Hort. a boxlike structure of glass etc. for protecting plants.
11 a removable box of slats for the building of a honeycomb in a beehive.
12 US sl. frame-up.
--v.tr.
1. a set in or provide with a frame. b serve as a frame for.
2 construct by a combination of parts or in accordance with a design or plan.
3 formulate or devise the essentials of (a complex thing, idea, theory, etc.).
4 (foll. by to, into) adapt or fit.
5 sl. concoct a false charge or evidence against; devise a plot with regard to.
6 articulate (words).
Phrases and idioms:
frame-house a house constructed of a wooden skeleton covered with boards etc. frame of reference
1. a set of standards or principles governing behaviour, thought, etc.
2 Geom. a system of geometrical axes for defining position. frame-saw a saw stretched in a frame to make it rigid. frame-up colloq. a conspiracy, esp. to make an innocent person appear guilty.
Derivatives:
framable adj. frameless adj. framer n.
Etymology: OE framian be of service f. fram forward: see FROM