fray
Word family nounfrayingverbfray
Clothes
ldoce_125_afray1 /freɪ/ verb [intransitiveI, transitiveT] 1 DCCDHif cloth or other material frays, or if something frays it, the threads become loose because the material is old （使）〔布等〕磨损，（使）磨破；（使）磨散
The collar had started to fray on Ed’s coat.
埃德外套的领子开始出现了磨损。
He had frayed the bottom of his jeans.
他的牛仔裤裤脚已经磨破了。
2 
CONTROLif someone’s temper or nerves fray, or if something frays them, they become annoyed （使）烦恼，（使）恼怒；（使）紧张
CONTROLif someone’s temper or nerves fray, or if something frays them, they become annoyed （使）烦恼，（使）恼怒；（使）紧张 Tempers soon began to fray.
火气很快就上来了。
—frayed adjectiveadj
The carpet was badly frayed.
地毯磨损得很厉害。
Examples from the Corpus
fray• It was only three o'clock and tempers were already beginning to fray.• Alyssia felt her temper begin to fray.• They cut a zig-zag edge to prevent fraying.• With basic needs in increasingly short supply, the social fabric of Cairo is showing signs of fraying.• Anyone working with Mr Gates must take decisions on the spot; studies and committees fray the billionaire's patience.
Tempers ... fray• We had been waiting an hour, the temperature rising, tempers fraying.• It was on the second day that tempers, already frayed, finally ripped.• With tempers fraying, it was decided to return to the question today.
fray2 noun
the fray ARGUEan argument or fight 争论；吵架；打架，斗殴
Three civilians were injured during the fray.
三个平民在冲突中受伤。
into the fray
He launched himself into the fray.
他冲上前去一起打。
join/enter the fray
The other soldiers quickly joined the fray, launching missile attacks in the city.
其他士兵也立即加入战斗，在城里发起导弹袭击。
Examples from the Corpus
into the fray• But the outcome is neither random, nor completely orderly: probability has entered into the fray.• Thousands of ordinary people were forced into the fray.• Then King jumped into the fray and tried to persuade Republicans to replace Gingrich with Rep.• Finally, Yusuf led into the fray his own Black Guards, consisting of 4000 men.• Your first impulse was to step into the fray, select a likely teacher, and present yourself for instruction.• Luckily, the boys heard the scuffle and ran out to throw themselves into the fray.• The state-controlled television threw itself vigorously into the fray.
Examples from the Corpus
fray• The banquet recommenced but the fray had dampened and soured the atmosphere.• Thousands of ordinary people were forced into the fray.• Then King jumped into the fray and tried to persuade Republicans to replace Gingrich with Rep.• Finally, Yusuf led into the fray his own Black Guards, consisting of 4000 men.• Luckily, the boys heard the scuffle and ran out to throw themselves into the fray.• Kazanow grins sheepishly at the cheers before rejoining the fray below, the easy warmth between band and benefactor plainly apparent.• He is shaken, and resolves to return to the fray.
(1400-1500) French frayer, from Latin fricare; → FRICTION
fray2 (1300-1400) affray
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