fray etymology

Etymology:

• Middle English: fray, from Old French fraier, from Late Latin fricare ("to rub")

Meaning:

1. A fight between small groups of soldiers or a brief conflict.
2. A heated argument or dispute.
3. A worn or torn edge of fabric.
4. A commotion or disturbance.

Origin:

The word fray ultimately derives from the Proto-Indo-European root prei-, meaning "to cut" or "to rub". This root also gave rise to the Latin verb fricare, meaning "to rub" or "to friction". In Late Latin, fricare was used to describe the friction caused by two objects rubbing against each other. This sense of the word was borrowed into Old French as fraier, and eventually into Middle English as fray.

Over time, the meaning of fray expanded to include not only the literal meaning of rubbing or wearing, but also the figurative meaning of fighting or arguing. The sense of "a fight" is thought to have developed from the idea of two armies rubbing against each other in battle. The sense of "a heated argument" is thought to have developed from the idea of two people rubbing each other up the wrong way.

The word fray is still used in all of its original senses today. It is a common word in military and historical contexts, and it is also used to describe arguments, conflicts, and disturbances.

fray relate terms

• affray

  Etymology From Middle English affray from Old French effrei or effray fright terror

• afraid

  Etymology Old English ofrædan to fear Middle English affrayed to frighten Late

• afraid

  Etymology Old English ofrædan to fear Middle English affrayed to frighten Late

• afeared

  Etymology Old English āfæred past participle of āfæran to terrify Proto Germanic

• friction

  Etymology Middle English via Anglo Norman French from Late Latin fricātiō n from th

• disturbance

  Etymology French disturbance from Old French disturbanche Latin disturbatio from distu

• ruffle

  Origin and Etymology of Ruffle The word ruffle originated in the late 15th century fr

• frazzle

  Etymology The word frazzle comes from the Old English word freccles which means fr

• ravel

  Etymology The word ravel derives from the Middle English word ravelen which in turn

• scarecrow

  Etymology and Meaning The word scarecrow is derived from two Old English words sca

• adjoin

  Etymology From Middle English adjounen from Old French adjoindre from Latin ad

• fight

  Etymology From Middle English fighten fighte from Old English feohtan to fight f

• Scratch

  Etymology The word scratch comes from the Middle English word scratten which in turn

• teem

  Etymology The word teem is derived from the Old English word teaman which means to