no obj.
1- (of a fabric, rope, or cord) unravel or become worn at the edge, typically through constant rubbing（织物, 绳, 线）磨散, 磨松; 磨破, 磨损：
cheap fabric soon frays
廉价的织物很快就会磨破
as adj. frayed the frayed collar of her old coat.她旧外套磨破了的领口。
1.1
- figurative (of a person's nerves or temper) show the effects of strain〈喻〉（脾气）烦躁; （神经）紧张。
1.2
- with obj.(of a male deer) rub (a bush or small tree) with the head in order to remove the velvet from newly formed antlers, or to mark territory during the rut（雄鹿为从刚长成的茸角上去掉鹿茸嫩皮或在发情期时标出交配地盘而）用头磨（灌木, 小树）。
词源
late Middle English: from Old French freiier, from Latin fricare 'to rub'.
noun
1the fray
- a situation of intense activity, typically one incorporating an element of aggression or competition冲突; 争斗; 争吵：
nineteen companies intend to bid for the contract, with three more expected to enter the fray.
19家公司准备投标这份合同, 还有3家也想介入争夺。
1.1
- a battle or fight战斗; 打架。
词源
late Middle English: from archaic fray 'to quarrel', from affray 'startle', from Anglo-Norman French afrayer （see AFFRAY）.