fray
10 years ago No Comments

(rhymes with “day”)

This word is a multi-tasker. It has all sorts of useful meanings…

1. noun: A dispute, fight, struggle, or disorderly incident.
Example: When things got out of hand, the police were called to break up the fray between the competing contractors during the pre-bid meeting.

2. verb: to irritate or strain or wear into shreds
Example: The client’s inability to make a decision and stick to it was causing the designer’s nerves to become a bit frayed.

3. verb: to wear as if by rubbing, specifically to separate the threads at the edge of a textile
Example: When the drapery workroom received the client’s incredibly expensive fabric, they were horrified to see that the fabric had frayed right through the selvage in several places due to poor shipping and handling conditions.