— fringeless , adj. — fringelike , adj. — fringy , adj.
/frinj/ , n. , v. , fringed, fringing .
n.
1. a decorative border of thread, cord, or the like, usually hanging loosely from a raveled edge or separate strip.
2. anything resembling or suggesting this: a fringe of grass around a swimming pool.
3. an outer edge; margin; periphery: on the fringe of the art world.
4. something regarded as peripheral, marginal, secondary, or extreme in relation to something else: the lunatic fringe of a strong political party.
5. Optics. one of the alternate light and dark bands produced by diffraction or interference.
6. See fringe benefit .
v.t.
7. to furnish with or as if with a fringe.
8. to serve as a fringe for, or to be arranged around or along so as to suggest a fringe: armed guards fringing the building.
[ 1325-75; ME frenge frange ) frimbia, metathetic var. of LL fimbria, L fimbriae fringe ]
Syn. 2. edge, border, skirt, rim.