fretn.¹

Brit.

/frɛt/, U.S.

/frɛt/

Forms: Also Middle English–1800s frette, Middle English–1500s frete, (1500s Scottish fratt).

Etymology: apparently < Old French frete trellis-work, interlaced work (modern French frette, in the heraldic sense = 2). This noun and the related fret v.² are commonly believed to represent the Old English frætwe plural, ornaments, frætw(i)an to adorn, but this appears to be phonologically inadmissible, and many of the usual phraseological combinations of the words in Middle English are paralleled by similar uses in Old French.

1. Ornamental interlaced work; a net; an ornament (esp. for the hair) consisting of jewels or flowers in a network.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > pattern or design > [noun] > interlaced

fretc1385

friar knots1488

chainwork1551

knot1638

Gordian knotc1660

meander1706

entrelac1723

triquetra1845

knotwork1851

strapwork1854

Celtic knot1865

snake-knot1866

aligreek1867

plaitwork1871

honeycomb work1874

strap-ornament1895

honeycomb1924

c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Prol. A 147 A frette of goold sche hadde next hyre her.

c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Prol. B 228 In-with a fret of rede rose leves.

1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 228 With frette of perle upon his hede.

1418 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 36 Wroght wit mapil leues and fret of a iij. foill.

?c1475 Sqr. lowe Degre 212 A ladyes head with many a frete.

1488 in P. F. Tytler Hist. Scotl. (1864) II. 392 A frete of the quenis oure set with grete perle.

1516 Inventories (1815) 26 Item ane paclott of crammesy satene with ane fratt of gold on it with xii. diamantis.

1598 Floure & Leafe in T. Speght Wks. G. Chaucer f. 366^v/1 On her head A rich fret of gold..full of stately rich stones set.

1603 M. Drayton Barrons Wars vi. xliii. 136 About the border in a curious fret, Emblem's, Empresas, Hiroglifiques set.

1867 W. Morris Life & Death of Jason vii. 126 Unto her fragrant breast her hand she set, And drew therefrom a bag of silken fret.

2. Heraldry. Originally, a figure formed by two bendlets, dexter and sinister, intersecting; = French frette. (Cf. fretty adj.¹) In later use, ‘a figure formed by two narrow bands in saltire, interlaced with a mascle’ (Cussans).

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > charge: device on shield > [noun] > less honourable charge > two bands intersecting

fretty1562

fret1572

fretwork1864

1572 J. Bossewell Wks. Armorie ii. f. 85^v The Fret borne in this Cote Armour, is founde borne also of diuerse noble Gentle~men.

1603 M. Drayton Barrons Wars ii. xxiii. 32 In his fayre Cornet verdoon doth display A Geuly fret.

1761 Brit. Mag. 2 149 Arms..in the second and third, a fret, or.

1864 C. Boutell Heraldry Hist. & Pop. (ed. 3) xv. 224 Hugh, the head of the family, bears the frette without any difference.

†a. Architecture. Carved ornament, esp. in ceilings, consisting of intersecting lines in relief. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > architectural ornament > [noun] > other ornaments

pommela1300

crest1430

finial1448

balloon1592

brattishingc1593

knob1610

cartouche1611

ogive1611

fret1626

galace1663

acroterion1664

paternoster1728

semi-urn1742

patera1776

purfling1780

sailing course1807

vesica piscis (also piscium)1809

antefix1819

vesica1820

garland1823

stop1825

Aaron's rod1830

headwork1831

Vitruvian scroll1837

hip knob1838

stelea1840

ball-flower1840

notch-head1843

brandishing1846

buckle1848

cat's-head1848

bucrane1854

cresting1869

semi-ball1875

canephorus1880

crest-board1881

wave pattern1905

husk1934

foliate head1939

green man1939

1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §111 We see in Garden-knots, and the Frets of Houses, and all equall and well answering Figures how they please.

1635 Althorp MS in J. N. Simpkinson Washingtons App. 71 To Butler and his boye..plastering the frett in the drawinge chamber.

1664 J. Evelyn Acct. Archit. in tr. R. Fréart Parallel Antient Archit. 138 Roofs..Emboss'd with Fretts of wonderful relievo.

b. An ornamental pattern composed of continuous combinations of straight lines, joined usually at right angles. Also attributive.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > pattern or design > [noun] > geometric

checkingc1440

checkc1450

chequer-work1519

pane?a1549

diaper-work1602

chevron1605

diapery1631

fret1664

tooth-work1681

polygram1696

chequer1779

reticulum1797

Grecque1832

checkery1837

gammadion1848

diaper1851

key pattern1853

diapering1866

Greek fret1872

rangoli1884

geometric1894

Greek key1897

step pattern1908

Mondrian1964

1664 J. Evelyn tr. R. Fréart Parallel Antient Archit. ii. ix. 110 The Fret..consists in a certain interlacing of two Lists or small Fillets, which run always in parallel distances equal to their breadth, with this necessary condition, that at every return and intersection they do always fall into right angles.

1665–76 J. Rea Flora 8 A railed fret of twenty-three divisions.

1833 J. Holland Treat. Manuf. Metal II. 172 The fret, an ornament, either of open filigree work, or cast in bold relief..is placed immediately beneath the lowest bar or fret-rail, and in the best kind of stoves it is made stationary.

1836 H. G. Knight Archit. Tour Normandy 199 The most common mouldings are the billet..the zig-zag or embattled frette.

1857 S. Birch Hist. Anc. Pottery (1858) II. 4 The fret or herring-bone is of common occurrence on vases of the oldest style.

1879 J. J. Young Ceramic Art 209 In the kylix on the right, the rectilinear designs and enclosed squares become the fret.

Compounds

fret-cutting n. the cutting of wood with a fret saw into ornamental designs; also attributive. fretwood n. wood prepared for fretwork n. (sense 2). Also fretsaw n.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > wood > [noun] > wood for other specific uses

mazera1200

waywoodware1334

piling1422

tenter-timber1562

pinwood1580

mazer wood1594

stop-rice1653

pudlay1679

puncheon1686

veneer1702

pit-wood1715

broach-wood1835

chipwood1838

matchwood1838

fretwood1881

pulpwood1881

coffin-wood1883

bur1885

spool-wood1895

society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > plastic art > sculpture or carving > [noun] > processes or techniques > specific relating to wood

fret-cutting1881

fretwork1881

1881 F. Young Every Man his own Mechanic §530 Small pieces of ornamental furniture..can be adorned most effectively by fret-cutting.

1881 F. Young Every Man his own Mechanic §663 A fret-cutting treadle~machine.

1885 Bazaar, Exchange & Mart 30 Mar. 1262/3 12 ft. planed fret~wood.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

fretn.²

Brit.

/frɛt/, U.S.

/frɛt/

Forms: Also 1500s frete, freete, freate, 1600s freat.

Etymology: < fret v.¹

1. A gnawing or wearing away, erosion. Now rare. Also concrete †a canker, a fretting sore; a decayed spot (in the wood of a bow or arrow, in a hair).

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > [noun] > decay or decaying > that which is decayed > a decayed spot or part

rotten?c1425

fret1545

the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > suppuration > [noun] > a suppuration > abscess > ulcer

cankereOE

rankle?c1190

fester?c1225

gutefestre?c1225

malemorte1341

mormalc1387

red gownc1400

ulcerc1400

fistula?a1425

esthiomene?1541

fret1545

exulceration1551

phagedaena1567

sycosis1580

ulceration1580

run1648

ulcuscle1794

festering1804

the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > [noun] > loss of material > wearing away

wearing1473

erosion?1541

forwearing1609

wear1729

fret1822

the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > [noun] > loss of material > eating away

gnawing1340

fretting1382

gnaw1735

fret1830

1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. f. 10 Freetes be in a shaft as well as in a bowe, and they be muche lyke a Canker, crepynge and encreasynge in those places in a bowe, whyche be weaker then other.

1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iv. iv. 173 This string to his bow is so full of gauls, frets, and knots, it cannot hold.

1681 J. Chetham Angler's Vade Mecum ii. 8 Such [hairs] as are..free from galls, scabs and frets.

1822 J. M. Good Study Med. II. 315 The fret or erosion which frequently takes place in different parts of the skin.

1830 Ld. Tennyson Poems 41 Before..the busy fret Of that sharpheaded worm begins.

figurative.1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 391 And now behold how many pumples and fretts lurke under this one skabbe of the popish doctrine.1588 G. Babington Profitable Expos. Lords Prayer i. 13 If thou desirest to bee free from the fret of enuie..pray.1603 M. Drayton Barrons Wars iii. xli. 62 Time neuer tuch'd him with deforming fret.1606 G. W. tr. Epit. Liues Emperors in tr. Justinus Hist. sig. Gg 6^v He was a diligent repressor of Eunuches and Courtiers, calling them the mothes and frettes of the Pallace.

2. Pain in the bowels, gripes, colic. Also plural. Now dialect. Cf. fret v.¹ 4.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > pain in specific parts > [noun] > in stomach or bowels

womb achea1398

gnawing1398

torsionc1425

colicc1440

frettingc1440

the wormc1500

wringc1500

griping1526

wresting?1543

wringing?1550

bellyache1552

torment1578

colic passion1586

wind-colic1593

belly-thrawe1595

belly-grinding1597

fret1600

gripe1601

wrenching1607

mulligrubsa1625

bellywarka1652

torminaa1655

efferation1684

stomach-ache1763

gastrodynia1804

guts-ache1818

stony colic1822

wame-ill1829

gastralgia1834

tummy ache1926

1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique ii. xlix. 316 Oile of [Jesamin]..will..appease the frets of yoong children.

1652 N. Culpeper Eng. Physitian Enlarged 161 Children..are troubled with winde in the stomach or belly, which they [Nurses] call the Frets.

1681 W. Robertson Phraseologia generalis (1693) 642 The fret, or mouldy-grubs.

1842 C. W. Johnson Farmer's Encycl. 508/2 Fret, in farriery, a name sometimes applied to gripes or colic in horses or other cattle.

3. Agitation of mind; a ruffled condition of temper; irritation, passion, vexation; also, querulous or peevish utterance. In fret of mind, fret and fever, fret and fume.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > suffering > state of annoyance or vexation > [noun]

annoy?c1225

noyancec1400

vexation?a1425

crabbingc1450

annoyance1502

grudging1530

vexation of spirit1535

fret1556

fashery1558

spitea1586

gall1591

molestation1598

annoyment1607

incommodation1664

vexednessa1670

tracasserie1715

incommodement1733

frettation1779

vex1815

balls-ache1938

sterks1941

the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > peevishness > [noun] > peevish utterance

fret1556

1556 J. Heywood Spider & Flie xliii. 38 This formost spider and flie in furious fret, Frowning ech on other.

1607 T. Middleton Revengers Trag. i. sig. A2 The thought of that Turnes my abused heart-strings into fret.

1612 in R. F. Williams Birch's Court & Times James I (1849) (modernized text) I. 184 He is..blamed..as if he had hastened his brother's end by putting him into frets.

1647 J. Trapp Comm. Epist. & Rev. (2 Cor. xii. 5) They make us sick of the fret.

1664 H. More Modest Enq. Myst. Iniquity xx. 77 It were a plague and fret of mind..to the poor credulous Laiety.

1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier 154 My Lord was in as great a Fret as I.

1820 C. Lamb in London Mag. Aug. 143/1 Situated as thou art..amid the fret and fever of speculation.

1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. iii. vii. 193 A fret and fever that keeps heart and brain on fire.

a1865 E. C. Gaskell Wives & Daughters (1866) I. xxix. 325 He heard his wife's plaintive fret.

1886 C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David VII. Ps. cxxvii. 2 Those whom the Lord loves are delivered from the fret and fume of life.

†4. A sudden disturbance (of weather); a gust, squall (of wind); in early use also, agitation of waves. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > excitement > nervous excitement > [noun]

fever1340

motiona1398

quotidian?a1439

rufflea1535

commotion1581

fret1582

hurry1600

puddering1603

tumultuousnessa1617

trepidation1625

feverishness1638

boilingc1660

fermentationc1660

tumult1663

ferment1672

stickle1681

fuss1705

whirl1707

flurry1710

sweat1715

fluster1728

pucker1740

flutter1741

flustration1747

flutteration1753

tremor1753

swithera1768

twitteration1775

state1781

stew1806

scrow1808

tumultuating1815

flurrification1822

tew1825

purr1842

pirr1856

tête montée1859

go1866

faff1874

poultry flutter1876

palaver1878

thirl1879

razzle-dazzle1885

nervism1887

flurry-scurry1888

fikiness1889

foment1889

dither1891

swivet1892

flusterment1895

tither1896

overwroughtness1923

mania1925

stumer1932

tizzy1935

two and eight1938

snit1939

tizz1953

tiswas1960

wahala1966

the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > bad weather > [noun] > a disturbance of the elements > sudden and violent

pirrie1440

fuddera1522

fret1582

squall1719

flaw1791

williwaw1832

willy1832

line-squall1887

1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 6 Through Sicil his raging wyld frets..you sayled [L. Scyllæam rabiem experti].

1589 Voy. W. Towrson in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations i. 130 It [sc. foresaile] was blowen from the yarde with a freat.

1590 R. Ferris Most Dangerous Aduenture sig. A4 We were in a great frett by reason of the race.

1653–4 B. Whitelocke Jrnl. Swedish Ambassy (1772) I. 166 Such frets of weather in twenty howers time..that [etc.].

1678 H. Teonge Diary (1825) 269 At on this morning roase a frett of wind.

a1734 R. North Lives of Norths (1826) II. 316 Between Ireland and the height of the Cape, such frets of wind came down.

figurative.1750 S. Johnson Rambler No. 73. ⁋10 Frustrated of my hopes by a fret of dotage.

5. Secondary fermentation in liquors. on or upon the fret.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > drink > manufacture of alcoholic drink > [noun] > fermentation > secondary fermentation

fret1664

fretting1699

the world > food and drink > drink > manufacture of alcoholic drink > [adjective] > fermenting > secondary

on or upon the fret1664

fretting1733

1664 P. Neil in J. Evelyn Pomona in Sylva 40 Men like or dislike drink that hath more or less of the fret in it.

1669 W. Charleton Mysterie of Vintners in Two Disc. 174 White Wines upon the Frett.

1710 T. Fuller Pharmacopœia Extemporanea 1 Midling Ale..fresh, and not upon the fret.

1763 S. T. Janssen Smuggling 111 The Officer should not dip when any Wines are upon the Fret.

1808 C. Vancouver Gen. View Agric. Devon ix. 240 When every symptom of fret is wholly subsided, the cider is racked off.

1890 J. D. Robertson Gloss. Words County of Gloucester Fret, a gaseous fermentation of cider or beer.

6. on or upon the fret (see senses 3, 4; perhaps partly transferred from sense 5): in a state of agitation, irritation, ill-humour, or impatience.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > anger > irritation > [adjective]

annoyedc1330

crabbedc1480

provoked1538

chafing1539

nettledc1576

chafed1582

irritated1595

as mad as Ajax1598

aggravated1611

enchafeda1616

irritate1626

on or upon the fret1679

as mad as a wet hen1823

as mad as a meat axe1855

scotty1867

hacked1892

raggy1900

ratty1909

pipped1914

fucked-off1923

rubbed1927

eggy1935

broigus1937

salty1938

pissed1943

peed off1948

1679 T. Shadwell True Widow i. 6 'Tis some Roring Ranting Play that's upon the fret all the while.

1688 Vox Cleri Pro Rege 3 But he fears nothing, when his Zeal and his Discretion are once upon the fret.

1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 160 The Surface..cover'd with Froth and Bubbles; for it [sc. the River] runs all along upon the Fret.

1705 S. Whately in W. S. Perry Hist. Coll. Amer. Colonial Church: Virginia (1870) I. 166 Crying out whenever he is put upon the fret, ‘Gov^r Nicholson’.

1782 F. Burney Cecilia V. x. x. 386 The moment you have put him upon the fret, you'll fall into the dumps yourself.

1839 T. De Quincey Lake Reminisc. in Tait's Edinb. Mag. Feb. 98/2 Flanders..on the fret for an insurrectionary war.

1858 R. S. Surtees Ask Mamma xxv. 94 He was always either on the strut or the fret.

Draft additions 1993

Forms: Also 9 freet.

Frequency (in current use):

b. In coastal areas: a mist or fog coming in from the sea, a sea fog; also, a light rain or drizzle. Chiefly northern dialect.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cloud > mist > [noun] > thick mist or fog > sea-fog

haar1662

sea fog1796

water smoke1813

fret1842

water-eynd1883

the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > precipitation or atmospheric moisture > rain > [noun] > light or fine rain

roke1292

mull-rain1440

mizzle1490

rugc1540

drizzlea1612

dag1808

smur1808

sprinkle1829

skew1839

fret1982

1842 C. Ridley Let. Feb. in U. Ridley Cecilia (1958) vii. 86 This evening everything was thawing but I imagine it was only what they call a sea fret.

1892 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words Fret, freet, a wet fog.

1963 Times 13 June 3/3 It was half past seven, the light was bad enough to have stopped play in an ordinary county match, with the fret coming like clouds of bonfire smoke across the ground.

1982 P. Mann Eye of Queen 132 The rain slowed to a heavy fret and then stopped completely.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

fretn.³

/frɛt/

Forms: Also Middle English–1500s freyte.

Etymology: of uncertain etymology. Possibly a use of Old French frete ring, ferrule (see fret n.⁵). Another possibility is that it is connected with fret v.⁵ to rub (compare quot. 1606).

In musical instruments like the guitar, formerly a ring of gut (Stainer), now a bar or ridge of wood, metal, etc. placed on the fingerboard, to regulate the fingering.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > stringed instruments > lute- or viol-type parts > [noun] > fret

magade?a1475

freta1527

stop1530

a1527 W. Peeris Prov. in Anglia (1892) 14 478 In myddest of the body [of Lute] the stryngis soondith best. For stoppide in the freytis they abyde the pynnes wrest.

1565 J. Calfhill Aunswere Treat. Crosse f. 21^v If the strings be out of tune, or frets disordered, there wanteth the harmony.

1606 G. Chapman Monsieur D'Oliue i. B 3 b The string sounds euer well, that rubs not too much ath frets.

1698 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 20 80 The Frets are nearer to one another toward the Bridge.

1788 T. Cavallo in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 78 242 In a set of musical keys, pipes, or frets, a temperament is absolutely necessary.

1837 Blackwood's Mag. 41 92 The violin, which once had six strings, with guitar frets, was fortunately relieved from these superfluities.

figurative.1587 Gascoigne's Wks., Hearbes , &c., Commend. Verse Whose cords were coucht on frets of deepe disdaine.attributive.1814 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision III. xx. 22 As sound Of cittern, at the fret-board..Is..modulate and tuned.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

fretn.⁴

Brit.

/frɛt/, U.S.

/frɛt/

Etymology: < Old French frete, fraite, fraicte, breach.

rare.

A breach or passage made by the sea. (Quot. 1884 perhaps belongs to fret n.²)

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > land > land mass > shore or bank > bend in coast > [noun] > inlet in river or sea > in sea

fleetc893

pillOE

arm of the seaOE

sounda1300

lougha1387

bracec1400

lough1423

firthc1425

loch1427

resort1477

estuarya1552

inshot1555

mere1574

portlet1577

fret1587

frith1600

sea-gate1605

creek1625

sea-lochc1645

wick1664

fjord1674

voea1688

backwater1867

strait gulf1867

ocean-arm1871

ria1887

fjard1904

geo1934

1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1537/2 They had no entrance at all, vntill the riuer had made a new fret.

1633 T. Stafford Pacata Hibernia iii. vi. 305 Before they could compasse the fret, or cleft rocky ground as aforesaid.

1884 Times 15 Aug. 5 The sands had a tendency to accumulate in the Upper Mersey and..it was the ‘frets’ and erosion of the sand banks which counteracted this tendency.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

fretn.⁵

Brit.

/frɛt/, U.S.

/frɛt/

Etymology: < Old French frete (modern French frette) a ferrule, ring (also spec. as below).

Obsolete exc. dialect.

(See quots.)

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > wheel > [noun] > parts of wheels > hub or nave > ring around

nave-band1618

fret1688

nave-hoop1802

1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 332/1 The Frets..of a Wheel..are Iron Hoops about the Nave.

1887 T. Darlington Folk-speech S. Cheshire Fret, the belt of iron which goes round the nave of a wheel. Also called Clam.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

† fretn.⁶

Forms: Also 1600s frete.

Etymology: < Latin fretum. (Perhaps confused with fret n.⁴).

Obsolete.

A strait.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > water > sea or ocean > channel > [noun] > strait or narrow channel

sounda1300

straitc1386

narrowa1544

kyle1549

guta1552

distrait1562

fret1576

pacea1578

cut1598

narrow seas1615

Propontis1689

neck1719

tickle1770

rigolet1771

khal1903

1576 H. Gilbert Disc. Passage Cataia i. sig. B An Islande [America]..hauing on the southside of it, the frete, or strayte of Magellan.

1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 345 This Sea coast of Britaine is seperated from the Continent of Europe by a frete or streight.

1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica vii. xiii. 364 In this Euripe or fret of Negropont..Aristotle drowned himselfe, as many affirme.

a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Wales 17 A small Fret (known by the peculiar name of Menai) sundreth it from the Welsh Continent.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online December 2021).

fretadj.

Brit.

/frɛt/, U.S.

/frɛt/

Etymology: past participle of fret v.²

Of a ceiling: = fretted adj.²

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > pattern or design > [adjective] > geometric

diapered?a1400

frettedc1420

checkeryc1440

checkeda1475

diaper1480

chequered1486

lozenged1523

diapery1605

fret1663

lozengy1686

reticulated1753

geometrical1777

reticular1783

geometric1842

Z-shaped1858

chessboard1889

1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 45 Summers..to be framed in such a proportion as may serve to make an Italian fret Seeling.

1720 J. Strype Stow's Surv. of London (rev. ed.) I. ii. xiii. 191/1 This Church..was built in an octangular Form, with a fine fret Cieling.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

fretv.¹

Brit.

/frɛt/, U.S.

/frɛt/

Forms: Past tense and participle fretted. Present participle fretting. Forms: infinitive Old English fretan, Middle English freoten, Middle English–1500s frete(n, Middle English southern vreten, Middle English fretyn, freete, 1500s freat(e, 1500s–1600s frett(e, Middle English– fret. past tense Old English–Middle English frǽt, Middle English fret(e, southern vret, freet, Middle English frat(e, frette, 1500s fret; also weak Middle English freted, 1500s– fretted. past participle Old English freten, Middle English freaten, fretyn(e, Middle English frete, frette; weak 1500s– fretted; also Middle English–1600s fret. Also Middle English i-, yfrete(n, Middle English–1500s i-, yfret(te.

Etymology: Old English fretan strong verb (conjugated like etan to eat v.) = Middle Low German, Middle Dutch vrēten (Dutch vreten ), Old High German frez̧z̧en (Middle High German vrez̧z̧en , modern German fressen ), Gothic fraitan (preterite frêt ), < Old Germanic fra- (see for- prefix¹) + *etan to eat v.In Old English a strong verb of Class V; a prefixed form gefretan to eat up, devour (compare y- prefix) is also attested. Compare also the related Old English weak Class I verb frettan to eat up, devour, to graze, to let an animal eat up (a crop), cognate with Middle Low German vretten to let an animal feed on or eat up (a crop), Old High German frezzen to eat up, devour, consume, to graze, to let an animal feed on or eat up (a crop) (Middle High German vretzen , veretzen ), Gothic fra-atjan to distribute (for consumption) < the Germanic base of for- prefix¹ + an ablaut variant (o -grade) of the same Germanic base as eat v.

†1.

a. transitive. Chiefly of animals: To eat, devour. Also with up and to eat of. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > eating by animals > feed on or forage for (of animals) [verb (transitive)]

fretOE

rustle1835

OE Beowulf 1582 He..fræt..fyftyne men.

OE Anglo-Saxon Chron. an. 894 Hie..hæfdon miclne dæl þara horsa freten.

c1175 Lamb. Hom. 133 Sum [sede feol] bi þe weie..and fuȝeles hit freten.

c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 36 Þe kaue..fret of þet schulde forð bringe cwike briddes.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 15813 Let þu þa hundes..eiðer freten oðer.

a1300 E.E. Psalter (Horstman) lxxix. 14 A beste frate it and nama.

c1315 Shoreham 161 Opone thy wombe thou schalt glyde, And erthe frete.

a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 4027 Ðis leun sal oðer folc freten.

1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xviii 194 Adam after~ward aȝeines hus defence Frette of þat fruit.

c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Ariadne. 1951 And into a prysoun..cast is he Tyl..he shulde fretyn be.

c1394 P. Pl. Crede 729 Þey freten vp the furste froyt & falsliche lybbeþ.

absolute.1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. ii. 95 And in fastyng-dayes to frete ar ful tyme were.1447 O. Bokenham Lyvys Seyntys (1835) 71 Have of thine own and faste gyne to frete.

†b. transferred. To devour, consume, destroy. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > devour, engulf, or consume (of fire, water, etc.)

supeOE

eatc950

fretc1000

forthnimc1175

forfret?c1225

to-fret?c1225

swallowa1340

devourc1374

upsoup1382

consumea1398

bisweligha1400

founderc1400

absorb1490

to swallow up1531

upsupa1547

incinerate1555

upswallow1591

fire1592

absume1596

abyss1596

worm1604

depredate1626

to gulp downa1644

whelm1667

c1000 Ælfric Deut. xxxii. 22 Fyr fryt land mid his wæstme.

?a1366 Romaunt Rose 387 For alle thing it [tyme] fret and shal.

1388 Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) Micah v. 6 Thei shulen frete the lond of Assur bi swerd.

c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 404 Þat þe flod nade al freten with freȝtande wawez.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 9691 A tru to be takon..þaire men for to bery, And to frete hom with fyre.

absolute.1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 43 Thee fyre heer on fretting [L. ignis edax] with blaze too rafter is heaued.

a. To gnaw; to consume, torture or wear away by gnawing. Now only of small animals: = eat v. 9. Also intransitive (const. on, into).

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > cause bad condition in [verb (transitive)] > eat away

begnawa1000

gnawa1000

freta1200

corrode1555

eat1555

befreta1592

a1200 Moral Ode 274 Naddren and snaken..tered and freteð þe uuele speken.

c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 1948 Heo [fleoȝen] freten [c1300 Otho heten] þet corn & þat græs.

c1275 XI Pains of Hell 19 in Old Eng. Misc. 147 Wrmes habbeþ my fleys ifreten.

1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 6570 Vermyn grete..þe synful men sal gnaw and frete.

1340–70 Alisaunder 1159 Fayre handes & feete freaten too the bonne.

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 171 Wormes..frate so Julianus his neþer ende þat [etc.].

1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1554) vii. ii. 166 b His flesh gan turne to corrupcion Fret with wormes vpon eche partie.

c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Add. MS.) lxvii. 384 I suffere thes todes to frete.

a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xlvii. l. 207 On his hondis he gan to frete.

1551 Psalter xxxix. 12 Like as it wer a moth fretting a garment.

1557 W. Baldwin & T. Palfreyman Treat. Morall Philos. (new ed.) v. ix. f. 146^v The mothes and softe woormes, frette the cloth.

a1577 G. Gascoigne Hundred Flowers in Wks. (1587) 92 The greedie wormes that linger for the nones, To fret vpon her flesh.

1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 198 The Dragons put in their heads into their snout..and withall fret and gnaw the tenderest part.

1826 C. Lamb in New Monthly Mag. 16 264 We cannot bear to have our thin wardrobe eaten and fretted into by moths.

1864 A. C. Swinburne Atalanta 1423 The..bee Flits through flowering rush to fret White or duskier violet.

figurative.1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) ii. xix. 45 The fende..purposyth to chew and to frete the clene lyf of gode men.

b. To champ (the bit); also absol.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > habits and actions of horse > [verb (transitive)] > champ the bit

gnipc1425

champ1577

fret1835

1835 E. Bulwer-Lytton Rienzi II. v. ii. 213 Fretting his proud heart, as a steed frets on the bit.

1850 J. S. Blackie tr. Æschylus Lyrical Dramas II. 67 A young colt That frets the bit..Art thou.

a. transferred of slow and gradual destructive action, as of frost, rust, disease, chemical corrosives, friction, the waves, etc.: = eat v. 10. Const. into, to (the result). Also with asunder, away, in pieces, off, out.In this and the following senses this vb. has partly coalesced with fret v.⁴

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > cause bad condition in [verb (transitive)] > corrode or erode

forfret?c1225

fret?c1225

gnaw1530

to eat awaya1538

eat1555

arrode1575

corrode1594

out-eatc1595

eat1609

erode1612

to eat out1616

bite1623

etch1664

exede1669

cancer1824

to eat in-

?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 140 He fret him seolue weilawei as þefile deð.

a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvi. vii. 833 Þe foome þerof [sc. siluer]..freteþ away superfluite of deed fleisshe.

c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 1040 Þe soyle by þat se halues..fel fretes þe flesch.

c1430 in Pol. Rel. & L. Poems 183 Þe rust þat þi siluer duþ freete.

?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xii^v The thistyll..freteth away the cornes nigh it.

a1577 G. Gascoigne Hundred Flowers in Wks. (1587) 69 I may no praise unto a knife bequeath Wyth rust yfret though painted be the sheath.

1589 W. Wren in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations i. 148 Our cable was fretted in sunder with a rocke.

1590 R. Payne Briefe Descr. Ireland (1841) 5 The seas fretteth away the Ice and Snowe.

1594 H. Plat Jewell House 37 Inkes that..would corrode or fret the paper in peeces.

1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. xii. 276 The barble fishes..will set the line against their backes, and..presently saw and fret the same asunder.

1640 T. Fuller Joseph's Coat 175 Some Theeves have..fretted off their Fetters with Mercury water.

a1657 W. Burton Comm. Antoninus his Itinerary (1658) 158 The name of the City [on the coin] fretted out and quite worn away with age.

1660 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mechanicall xxii. 166 The Air..is so sharp, that in a short time it frets not only Iron Plates, but..Tiles upon the Roofs of Houses.

1727 W. Mather Young Man's Compan. (ed. 13) 74 The Copperas in the Ink will fret the Nibs.

1859 C. Kingsley Misc. (1860) I. 106 An island fretted by every frost and storm.

1878 T. H. Huxley Physiography (ed. 2) 134 The river frets away the rocks along its banks.

absolute.1526 Bible (Tyndale) 2 Tim. ii. 11 Their wordes shall fret even as doeth a Cancre.1597 J. Gerard Herball i. 135 The Onions do fret, attenuate or make thin.1610 G. Markham Maister-peece ii. clxxiii. 484 Arsnick..eateth, and fretteth, being a very strong corrosiue.1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. (at cited word) [Said of a grindstone] Capital stone, it frets (i.e. grinds) well.

b. figurative. Chiefly of the passions, etc.: To ‘devour’, ‘consume’, torment; cf. eat v. 10c. Also, to fret oneself. Obsolete except in fret the heart, in which use this sense is now hardly distinguishable from 8.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > cause of mental anguish or torment > cause anguish to or torment [verb (transitive)]

quelmeOE

eatc1000

martyrOE

fretc1175

woundc1175

to-fret?c1225

gnawc1230

to-traya1250

torment1297

renda1333

anguish1340

grindc1350

wringc1374

debreakc1384

ofpinec1390

rivea1400

urn1488

reboil1528

whip1530

cruciate1532

pinch1548

spur-galla1555

agonize1570

rack1576

cut1582

excruciate1590

scorchc1595

discruciate1596

butcher1597

split1597

torture1598

lacerate1600

harrow1603

hell1614

to eat upa1616

arrow1628

martyrize1652

percruciate1656

tear1666

crucify1702

flay1782

wrench1798

kill1800

to cut up1843

c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 16133 Hat lufe towarrd godess hus Me freteþþ att min herrte.

1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 98 Full of..wrathfull thought He fret him selven all to nought.

1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1554) iv. i. 101 a This Manlius was fret in his corage To greater worships sodainly to ascende.

c1450 How Goode Wif thaught Doughter 80 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 185 Envyouse herte hym selfe fretithe, my dere childe.

a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil Certain Bks. Aenæis (1557) iv. sig. Div^v Dido doth burne with loue, rage fretes her boones.

1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. (1609) ix. xiv. 322 Their hearts alreadie fretted and cankered at the very roote, for the last disgrace received.

1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 260. ⁋1 A crafty Constitution, and an uneasy Mind is fretted with vexatious Passions.

1748 S. Richardson Clarissa III. xliii. 222 It did teaze me; insomuch that my very heart was fretted.

1850 J. G. Saxe Poems 27 The very sigh That her stately bosom was fretting.

1856 N. Hawthorne Jrnl. 10 May in Eng. Notebks. (1997) II. iv. 26 So many curiosities drive one crazy, and fret one's heart to death.

†c. to fret out (time): to waste.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > spending time > spend time or allow time to pass [verb (transitive)] > waste time

leese?c1225

losea1340

defer1382

wastea1400

slip1435

consumea1500

superexpend1513

slow?1522

sloth1523

to fode forth1525

slack1548

dree1584

sleuth1584

confound1598

spenda1604

to fret out1608

to spin out1608

misplace1609

spend1614

tavern1628

devast1632

to drill away, on, outa1656

dulla1682

to dally away1685

squander1693

to linger awaya1704

dangle1727

dawdle1768

slim1812

diddle1826

to run out the clock1957

1608 R. Armin Nest of Ninnies sig. B4 By the third is cald to question most that musically fret their time out in idle baubling.

†4. Said of pains in the stomach or bowels.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > pain in specific parts > suffer pain in specific parts [verb (transitive)] > in stomach or bowels

fretc1275

wresta1529

gripe1611

c1275 XI Pains Hell 148 in Old Eng. Misc. 151 Gripes freteþ heore Mawen.

c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 179/1 Fretyn, or chervyn, torqueo.

5. To form or make by wearing away; = eat v. 11. With cognate object to fret its way.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > cause bad condition in [verb (transitive)] > cause to waste away > wear away or down > form or produce by

work1585

fret1597

wear1597

1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II iii. iii. 166 Till they haue fretted vs a paire of graues Within the earth.

1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear iv. 278 Let it stampe wrinckles in her brow of youth, with accent teares, fret channels in her cheeks.

1642 T. Fuller Holy State v. xix. 441 As if his eager soul, biting for anger at the clog of his body, desired to fret a passage through it.

1872 C. King Mountaineering in Sierra Nevada iv. 87 A broad white torrent fretting its way along the bottom of an impassable gorge.

†6. intransitive. To make a way by gnawing or corrosion; literal and figurative; = eat v. 12. Also with through. Const. into, to. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles ii. 127 The ffresinge ffrost ffreted to here hertis.

1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xxxii. 159 With knotted whyppes in the flesshe to frete.

1534 Act 26 Hen. VIII c. 9 The flud and rage of the sea..doth freate..in dyuers places.

1567 G. Turberville Epit., Epigr. (1837) 368 Eche lowering looke of yours, frets farther in my hart.

1612 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. I. ii. viii. 455 How dangerous it is, to suffer sinne to lye fretting into the soule!

1625 N. Carpenter Geogr. Delineated ii. vii. 123 The Water..would sooner fret through and cause a passage, then make a stoppage.

1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine iv. v. 82 His [sc. the Nile's] streams fret one into another.

1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine iii. 373 Perforations, which in process of time might fret in, and indent into the structure it self.

1676 R. Wiseman Severall Chirurg. Treat. i. xvii. 80 Many Wheals arose, and fretted one into another, with great Excoriation.

†7. intransitive for reflexive. To become eaten, corroded, or worn; to waste or wear away; to decay, become corrupt. Also with asunder, off, out. Obsolete. Cf. fret v.⁴ 2.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > deteriorate in condition [verb (intransitive)] > be decayed > decay

to-dreseOE

forbraidc1220

perisha1382

fret1486

to fall awayc1510

decay1511

pallc1560

1486 Bk. St. Albans B ij b And that same penne shalle frete asonder, and fall a way.

1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. f. 10 Bowes moost commonlye freate vnder the hande..for the heete of the hand.

1568 Newe Comedie Iacob & Esau ii. iv. sig. C.iv^v If I had bidden from meate any longer, I thinke my very mawe would haue frette asonder.

1593 M. Drayton Ideas Mirrour sig. D3 Mettles doe waste, and fret with cankers rust.

1657 W. Rand tr. P. Gassendi Mirrour of Nobility v. 128 When passing through a coloured glasse, they [the Raies of the Sun] fret off, and carry with them some portion of the colour.

a1735 Earl of Haddington Short Treat. Forest-trees 23 in J. G. Reid Scots Gardiner (1756) They [sc. alder trees] fretted at the top, and died.

1762 W. Falconer Shipwreck ii. 31 The leather fretting..By friction wore, must ever be supply'd.

1804 J. Abernethy Surg. Observ. 111 The wound fretted out into a sore.

8. transitive. To chafe, irritate. Chiefly with regard to the mind: To annoy, distress, vex, worry. Also, to fret oneself; and to bring into or to (a specified condition) by worrying. Cf. fret v.⁴ 1.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > [verb (reflexive)]

fretc1290

overfret1445

solicita1450

turmoil?1529

moila1560

to fret one's gizzard1755

to worry (oneself), be worried, sick1952

the mind > emotion > suffering > state of annoyance or vexation > be annoyed or vexed by [verb (transitive)] > annoy or vex

gremec893

dretchc900

awhenec1000

teenOE

fretc1290

annoyc1300

atrayc1320

encumberc1330

diseasec1340

grindc1350

distemperc1386

offenda1387

arra1400

avexa1400

derea1400

miscomforta1400

angerc1400

engrievec1400

vex1418

molesta1425

entrouble?1435

destroublea1450

poina1450

rubc1450

to wring (a person) on the mailsc1450

disprofit1483

agrea1492

trouble1515

grig1553

mis-set?1553

nip?1553

grate1555

gripe1559

spitec1563

fike?1572

gall1573

corsie1574

corrosive1581

touch1581

disaccommodate1586

macerate1588

perplex1590

thorn1592

exulcerate1593

plague1595

incommode1598

affret1600

brier1601

to gall or tread on (one's) kibes1603

discommodate1606

incommodate1611

to grate on or upon1631

disincommodate1635

shog1636

ulcerate1647

incommodiate1650

to put (a person) out of his (her, etc.) way1653

discommodiate1654

discommode1657

ruffle1659

regrate1661

disoblige1668

torment1718

pesta1729

chagrin1734

pingle1740

bothera1745

potter1747

wherrit1762

to tweak the nose of1784

to play up1803

tout1808

rasp1810

outrage1818

worrit1818

werrit1825

buggerlug1850

taigle1865

get1867

to give a person the pip1881

to get across ——1888

nark1888

eat1893

to twist the tail1895

dudgeon1906

to tweak the tail of1909

sore1929

to put up1930

wouldn't it rip you!1941

sheg1943

to dick around1944

cheese1946

to pee off1946

to honk off1970

to fuck off1973

to tweak (a person's or thing's) tail1977

to tweak (a person's or thing's) nose1983

to wind up1984

to dick about1996

to-teen-

the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > worry about [verb (transitive)] > cause worry to

busyeOE

fretc1290

exercise1531

to lead, rarely give (a person) a dancea1545

pingle1740

potter1763

fidget1785

worrit1818

worry1822

bite1909

disquieten1921

to stress out1983

c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 187/95 So þat þe salt scholde is woundene frete.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms xxxvi[i]. 1 Frett not thy self at the vngodly.

1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. f. 2^v Buckles and agglettes at vnwares, shall race hys bowe, a thinge..perilous for freatynge.

1594 S. Forman Autobiogr. & Diary (1849) 26 She cam not to me, and I was marvailously freted with yt.

1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 76 You may as well forbid the mountaine of Pines to wag their high tops..when they are fretten [1623 fretted] with the gusts of heauen.

1658 T. Bromhall Treat. Specters i. 52 They that stood by mocked him, and he being fretted went away.

1693 W. Freke Sel. Ess. 265 Arrows..fret Horse doubly more than Guns can.

1709 R. Steele & J. Addison Tatler No. 160. ⁋9 I should have fretted my self to Death at this Promise of a Second Visit.

1768 O. Goldsmith Good Natur'd Man i. 2 I have tried to fret him myself.

1801 R. Southey Thalaba II. xi. 263 The busy hand Of Consolation, fretting the sore wound.

1820 W. Irving Sketch Bk. I. 207 The horses were urged and checked until they were fretted into a foam.

a1854 Ld. Cockburn Memorials (1856) iv. 222 They were fretted into something like contempt by the rejection of a claim.

1859 ‘G. Eliot’ Adam Bede I. i. iv. 68 The long-lost mother..once fretted our young souls with her anxious humours.

1867 A. Trollope Last Chron. Barset I. xi. 91 The bishop..fretted himself in his chair, moving about with little movements.

absolute.c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 173 Þe bladdre ne mai not be soudid if it be kutt..for..þe urine fretiþ and þat lettiþ þe souding.1712 J. Arbuthnot John Bull Still in Senses v. 19 Injuries from Friends fret and gall more.

a. intransitive for reflexive. To distress oneself with constant thoughts of regret or discontent; to vex oneself, chafe, worry. Often with additional notion of giving querulous and peevish expression to these feelings. Also, to fret and fume, and fret it out, and const. about, after, at, over, upon.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > suffering > regret > [verb (intransitive)]

sorroweOE

aruec1000

ruea1400

overthinka1450

regretc1450

to rue the day (also hour)c1461

fret1551

to cry over spilt milk (or water)1738

the mind > emotion > anger > irritation > be or become irritated [verb (intransitive)]

enchafec1380

fume and chafec1522

chafe1525

to fret and fume1551

rankle1582

to lose patience, one's temper1622

pique1664

to have no patience with1682

ruffle1719

to be out of the way (with)1740

echinate1792

nettle1810

to get one's dander up1831

to set up one's jay-feathers1880

hackle1935

to get off one's bike1939

the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > be worried [verb (intransitive)]

to annoy of?c1400

fret1551

moil1567

ferret1807

worrit1854

worry1860

whittle1880

fidget1884

agonize1915

to worry (oneself), be worried, sick1952

to stress out1983

stress1988

1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia i. sig. Eiii He..so fret so fumed & chafed at it.

1573 G. Harvey Let.-bk. (1884) 46 [He] chafid and frettid like a proctor.

1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge v. iii. sig. I3^v Another frets, and sets his grinding teeth, Foaming with rage.

1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes iii. iii. 188 The more conspicuously are their evill deeds discovered: which makes them the more fret and fume.

1646 J. Hall Horæ Vacivæ 53 Hanniball gallantly frets it out in Silius.

1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. i. iv. 81 He fretted to see his inferiours raised.

1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 9. ⁋1 He neither languishes nor burns, but frets for Love.

1768 O. Goldsmith Good Natur'd Man v. 62 He only frets to keep himself employed.

a1790 B. Franklin Autobiogr. (1981) i. 35 Fretting about the Money Collins had got from me.

1805 R. Anderson Ballads in Cumberland Dial. 33 Another neet'll suin be here, Sae divvent freet and whine.

1833 H. Martineau Manch. Strike (new ed.) i. 7 Don't fret, wife, we must do as others do.

1837 E. Howard Old Commodore III. 69 Timothy began to fret upon it.

1842 Ld. Tennyson May Queen (new ed.) Concl. xii, in Poems (new ed.) I. 173 Say to Robert a kind word, and tell him not to fret.

1854 W. Collins Hide & Seek I. vii. 247 Don't forget the letter, sir, for I shan't fret so much after her, when once I've got that!

1865 M. C. Harris St. Philip's xi She went through life..fretting at her lot.

1875 W. S. Hayward Love against World 83 In secret, Jasper fretted and fumed.

1879 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. 3rd Ser. i. 14 Englishmen were fretting under their enforced abstinence [etc.].

1899 A. Skeel & W. H. Brearley King Washington 224 In vain the captain fretted over the delay.

b. quasi-transitive. With away, out.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > suffering > regret > [verb (transitive)] > spend in regret

fret1611

the mind > emotion > suffering > state of annoyance or vexation > be annoyed or vexed by [verb (transitive)] > spend or waste in vexation

fret1611

the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > discontent or dissatisfaction > be discontented about [verb (transitive)] > spend or waste in discontent

fret1611

1611 L. Barry Ram-Alley iii. sig. E3^v Now let him hang, Fret out his guts, and sweare the starres from Heauen.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) v. v. 24 A poore Player, That struts and frets his houre vpon the Stage.

1829 I. Taylor Nat. Hist. Enthusiasm ix. 244 Many who..have fretted away an unblessed existence within..the monastery.

1858 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (ed. 2) IV. xviii. 48 She had driven him from his country to fret out his life in banishment.

1879 F. W. Farrar Life & Work St. Paul I. vii. xv. 494 The Vibiuses..who..fretted their little hour on the narrow stage of Philippi.

10.

a. intransitive. Of liquor: To undergo secondary fermentation. Obsolete exc. dialect.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > drink > manufacture of alcoholic drink > [verb (intransitive)] > ferment > secondary fermentation

fret1664

re-ferment1707

1664 P. Neil in J. Evelyn Pomona in Sylva 36 When it [i.e. the Cider] is bottled it must not be perfectly fine; for if it is so, it will not fret in the bottle.

a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 244 All Love at first, like generous Wine, Ferments and frets, until 'tis fine.

1775 E. Barry Observ. Wines Ancients 43 Some of the..more generous kind [of wine]..required great care to prevent them from fretting.

1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. Fret,..3. To ferment.

1897 W. J. Sykes Princ. & Pract. Brewing 481 Often the secondary fermentation becomes unduly excited; the beer is then said to ‘fret’ or ‘kick up’.

in extended use.1804 Poet Reg. 470 Beneath these butchers stalls..Where rankling offals fret in many a heap.

b. transitive (causatively). Also, to fret in: see quot. 1872.

ΘΚΠ

the world > food and drink > drink > manufacture of alcoholic drink > [verb (transitive)] > ferment > secondary fermentation

re-ferment1707

to fret in1742

1742 W. Ellis London & Country Brewer (ed. 4) I. 66 Without fretting or causing it to burst the Cask for Want of Vent.

1860 O. W. Holmes Professor's Story xxii, in Atlantic Monthly Nov. 625/2 Both were..old enough to have all their beliefs ‘fretted in’, as vintners say,—thoroughly worked up with their characters.

1872 R. V. Tuson Cooley's Cycl. Pract. Receipts (ed. 5) 1185/2 The technical terms ‘sweating in’ and ‘fretting in’ are applied to the partial production of a second fermentation, for the purpose of mellowing down the flavour of foreign ingredients (chiefly brandy), added to wine.

11. intransitive. Of a stream, etc.: To move in agitation or turmoil, to flow or rise in little waves; to chafe. Often used with conscious metaphor and mixture of sense 9.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > flow [verb (intransitive)] > with agitated movement or rush

buschc1400

bullera1522

purla1586

frizado1605

trench1616

tottle1717

fret1727

brattle1850

1727 J. Thomson Summer 35 The..Brook..fretting o'er a Rock.

1807 W. Wordsworth Ode in Poems II. 158 I love the Brooks which down their channels fret .

1808 W. Scott Marmion ii. Introd. 65 Scarce can the Tweed his passage find, Though much he fret, and chafe, and toil.

1849 C. Brontë Shirley II. x. 241 The mill-stream..fretting with gnarled tree-roots.

1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. I. xiv. 189 A noise like that of short sharp waves in a Highland loch, fretting under a squall against a rocky shore.

figurative.1822 W. Hazlitt Table-talk (1869) 2nd Ser. iv. 81 A certain stream of irritability that is continually fretting upon the wheels of life.1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan i. iii. 51 The stream of thought, Fretting against its limits and obstructions.

12. transitive (causatively). To throw (water) into agitation; to cause to rise in waves; to ruffle.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > state of sea > [verb (transitive)] > agitate

fret1794

1794 G. Adams Lect. Nat. & Exper. Philos. I. v. 168 The surface of the water is fretted and curdled into the finest waves by the undulations of the air.

1834 T. De Quincey S. T. Coleridge in Tait's Edinb. Mag. Sept. 513/2 Some great river..fretted by rocks or thwarting islands.

1859 E. Bulwer-Lytton What will he do with It? (1st Edinb. ed.) I. i. iv. 36 See..how the slight pebbles are fretting the wave.

1863 N. Hawthorne Our Old Home II. 132 The surface [of the river]..being fretted by the passage of a hundred steamers.

1871 J. Miller Songs Italy (1878) 23 Not one gondola frets the lagoon.

13. dialect. See quot. 1856; cf. sense 4 and fret n.² 2.

ΚΠ

1856 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 17 ii. 482 The grassland in this district is peculiarly liable to scour (‘fret’) the young cattle.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

fretv.²

Brit.

/frɛt/, U.S.

/frɛt/

Forms: infinitive Middle English–1600s frett(e, (Middle English freett, 1500s freat), Middle English– fret. past tense Middle English fret. past participle Middle English–1600s fret(t(e, (Middle English freit, freyt), Middle English frettet, frettit, frettut, Middle English– fretted. Also past participle Middle English ifreted.

Etymology: Perhaps represents several distinct but cognate words. In part this word seems to be < Old French freter (used in past participle frete , = Anglo-Latin frectatus , frictatus , frestatus , in the sense ‘ornamented with interlaced work, embroidered with gold, etc.’, also Heraldry ‘fretty’), < frete : see fret n.¹ In the architectural sense it agrees with fretish v.²; the two forms may be adoptions of the two stems of the Old French verb *fraitir , fraitiss- . There may also have been an independent English formation on fret n.¹The common view, that fret represents Old English frætw(i)an, to adorn, seems inadmissible phonologically; but it is possible that the Old English verb, though not recorded after the 12th cent., may have survived in speech, and have been confused with the Romanic verb.

†1.

a. transitive. To adorn with interlaced work, esp. in gold or silver embroidery; in wider sense, to adorn richly with gold, silver, or jewels. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > fashion with artistic skill or decoration [verb (transitive)] > cover with ornamental work

fret1340

lay?a1366

overfretc1440

to work over1542

parget1576

encrust1641

incrustate1728

1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 9107 Other stanes of gret prys, With fyne gold wyre alle obout frett.

1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. ii. 11 Fetislich hir fyngres were fretted with golde wyre.

c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness B. 1476 Fyoles fretted with flores & fleez of golde.

c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 3926 A swerd..wyth seynture I-fretid all with perelis.

1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. avi^v Frenyeis of fyne silk fretit ful fre.

a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. lxix. f. xxiiii^v The Emperour..garnysshed the Crosse with many riche stones freit with golde.

c1540 Image Ipocrysy i, in J. Skelton Poet. Wks. (1843) II. 419 Curtle, cope and gowne..With golde and perle sett, And stones well iffrett.

1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. 857/1 The quire..sieled with cloth of gold, and thereon fret ingrailed bent clothes of silke.

1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. 815/1 Ladies all in white and red silke, set vpon coursers trapped in the same sute, freated ouer with gold.

1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne ix. lxxxii. 175 In his Turkish pompe he shone, In purple robe ore fret with gold and stone.

1607 S. Hieron Dignitie of Script. in Wks. (1620) I. 74 He could..haue fretted (as it were) the whole volume of the booke with excellencie of words.

a1668 W. Davenant Masque in Wks. (1673) 364 His bed-chamber door, and seeling, fretted with stars in Capital Letter.

b. transferred. To variegate, chequer, form a pattern upon.

ΘΠ

the world > matter > colour > variegation > variegate [verb (transitive)]

chequer?a1400

fleckc1430

engrail1483

shoot1532

begary1538

intermingle1553

enchase1590

diaper1592

sinew1592

motley1602

intercolour1607

damask1610

particolour1610

inshade1613

freta1616

enamel1650

discolour1656

variegatea1728

jasper1799

intershoot1845

patchwork1853

pattern1898

strand1914

harlequin-

a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) ii. i. 103 Yon grey Lines, That fret the Clouds, are Messengers of Day.

1839 H. W. Longfellow Hyperion II. iii. i. 4 White clouds sail aloft; and vapors fret the blue sky with silver threads.

2. Architecture. To adorn (esp. a ceiling) with carved or embossed work in decorative patterns.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > pattern or design > pattern [verb (transitive)] > interlaced

fretish1601

fret1604

raddle1671

honeycomb1820

1615 R. Boyle Diary (1886) I. 66 I compounded with my plaiserer to ffrett my parlor.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) ii. iv. 88 The Roofe o'th'Chamber, With golden Cherubins is fretted .

1667 S. Pepys Diary 3 May (1974) VIII. 198 The Duke of York's chamber..as it is now fretted at the top..is one of the noblest and best-proportioned rooms.

1853 C. Kingsley Hypatia II. iv. 70 Against the walls stood presses and chests fretted with fantastic Oriental carving.

figurative and in extended use.1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 303 This maiesticall roofe fretted with golden fire. 1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. vi. 336 Simple ignorance, not fretted & embossed with malice..caused that desolation of Libraries in England.1729 R. Savage Wanderer i. 40 The solar fires now faint and wat'ry burn, Just where with ice Aquarius frets his urn!1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 559 Vaulted by magnificent canopies, fretted with a variety of depending petrifactions.1842 H. Miller Old Red Sandstone (ed. 2) viii. 170 Its shelly armour was delicately fretted with the forms of circular or elliptical scales.

3. Heraldry. To interlace.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > charge: device on shield > place charge on [verb (transitive)] > interlace

fret1572

1572 J. Bossewell Wks. Armorie ii. f. 121^v Hee beareth Or, a Lyon rampaunt d'Ermine, debrused with two Barruletes, and fret with the thirde, Sable.

1828–40 W. Berry Encycl. Her. I. Fretting each other, interlacing each other.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

† fretv.³

Etymology: < Old French freter (French fretter), < Old French *frete (French frette) ring, hoop.

Obsolete. rare.

transitive. To bind (properly, with a hoop or ring). Also figurative.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > binding or tying > bind or tie [verb (transitive)] > bind

writheOE

binda1325

fret1401

restrainc1425

band1488

plet1575

strapple?1611

1401 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 41 Foxes frettid in fere wasten the cornes.

c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) iv. xxviii. 190 She was bounden with hoopes, and faste fretted [Fr. fretee].

c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) iv. xxix. 191 She is bounden and bounden ayen; fretted [Fr. fretee] with obseruaunces.

a1450 Fysshynge wyth Angle (1883) 8 Double the lyne and frete hyt fast yn þe top with a nose to fasten an your lyne.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2021).

† fretv.⁴

Etymology: Of difficult etymology. It might satisfactorily be explained as < Old French *freiter = modern French dialect fretter, Provençal fretar, Italian frettare < vulgar Latin *frictāre, frequentative of Latin fricāre to rub; but the Old French form has not been found. Compare the synonymous Old French froter (French frotter), which, in spite of phonological difficulties, some scholars connect with this group.

Obsolete: merged in fret v.¹ 3 – 13.

a. transitive. To rub, chafe. Also with away. Causatively: To make pass by rubbing; to cause (a keel) to graze.

ΘΠ

the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > rubbing or friction > rub [verb (transitive)]

gnidec1000

frot?c1225

gnoddec1230

rudc1300

ruba1325

wipe1362

freta1400

labour?a1475

wrive1481

scrud1483

chafe1526

friga1529

fricace1579

perfricate1598

affricate1656

fricate1716

frictionize1853

a1400 Minor Poems from Vernon MS xxxii. 978 Penaunce..freteþ a-wei þe fulþe of synne.

c1450 Two Cookery-bks. 113 Nym appeles, seth hem, let hem kele, frete hem thorwe an her syue.

c1480 (a1400) St. Clement 283 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 381 Þai fretyt þar facis þane [L. faciem confricantes] fore ferly, & þis spek be-gane.

1483 Cath. Angl. 143/1 To Frete; fricare..to rubbe.

a1547 Earl of Surrey Poems (1964) 34 Ne by coward dred..On shalow shores thy keel in perill freat.

1653 H. Cogan tr. Diodorus Siculus Hist. 127 The inhabitants..know this tree..by the Elephants rubbing and fretting it.

1705 London Gaz. No. 4179/4 The Hair fretted short about the middle of her Mane.

figurative.1581 W. Lambarde Eirenarcha (1588) iv. xix. 602 The one of these Statutes doth not fret the other.

b. Of a bird: To preen (feathers).

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > birds > actions or bird defined by > [verb (transitive)] > preen

fret1423

prune?1533

prink1573

plume1637

wheta1678

preen1692

1423 Kingis Quair xxxv Freschly in thaire birdis kynd arraid Thaire fetheris new, and fret thame In the sonne.

2. intransitive. To rub, produce friction; to fray out.

ΘΠ

the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > rubbing or friction > rub [verb (intransitive)]

rubc1400

streak1607

chafe1608

fret1654

the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > deteriorate in condition [verb (intransitive)] > waste away > wear > by rubbing > fray

faselc1440

fret1654

fray1721

1654 T. Fuller Inaug. Serm. 26 That his curtesies might not unravell, or fret out, hath bound them with a strong border.

1660 R. Sharrock Hist. Propagation & Improvem. Veg. 147 Such positions, that one [branch] may not easily fret upon another.

1692 Smith's Sea-mans Gram. (new ed.) i. xvi. 81 To Serve a Rope, is to wind somthing about it, to keep it from fretting out.

a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. iv. 233 Taking off the weight of difficulties, so that they may not fret upon the shoulders.

†3. (The interpretation of the words in these passages, and their identity with the present verb, are very doubtful.)

a. ? To have dealings with (cf. French se frotter avec). Obsolete.

ΘΠ

the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)] > have to do with or be involved in or with

to have to do with (also mid, of, on)lOE

meddle1413

intromit1522

fretc1540

make1564

to have a finger in1583

converse1592

cope with1594

trade1595

play1928

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12846 Hetis hom..to haue all hor hert wille, Of ffredom..fret with hom so, And all your will shall ye wyn.

b. ? To conflict, offend against.

ΘΠ

society > authority > lack of subjection > be unsubmissive [verb (intransitive)] > conflict or offend against

fret1435

R. Misyn tr. R. Rolle Fire of Love 92 Slike frenschyp is pure naturel, & þerfore meyd ne vnmeyd, bot if it oght freyt [L. nisi aliquid moliatur] agayn godis commament, it is worþi.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2021).

fretv.⁵

Brit.

/frɛt/, U.S.

/frɛt/

Etymology: < fret n.³

transitive. To furnish (a guitar, etc.) with frets.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > making or fitting instruments > accessories [verb (transitive)] > furnish with frets

fret1603

1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. ii. 359 Call mee what Instrument You will, though you can frett mee, yet you can not Play vpon mee.

Derivatives

ˈfretted adj.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > stringed instruments > lute- or viol-type parts > [adjective] > fretted

fretted1600

1600 S. Rowlands Letting of Humors Blood 5 While you your selues like musicke sounding Lutes fretted and strunge, gaine them their silken sutes.

1647 N. Ward Simple Cobler Aggawam 36 Instruments may be well made and well strung, but if they be not well fretted, the Musique is marred.

1689 London Gaz. No. 2437/4 All sorts of fretted Instruments, especially Lutes and Viols.

a1877 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. II. 1031 An instrument having the fretted neck of the former [the guitar].

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

† fretv.⁶

Forms: past participle fret(t(e; also yfretted.

Etymology: < Old French freter, past participle freté ‘garni’ (Godefroy); perhaps a use of freter fret v.² Compare freight adj. 1b.

Obsolete.

transitive. To furnish, stock, stud, supply. Chiefly in past participle modified by adverbs full, thick, well.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > provide or supply (a person or thing) with anything > stock (a place, etc.) with something

fillOE

store1264

pitchc1300

stuffc1386

fretc1400

replete?a1425

enstorea1450

engrange1480

plenish1488

freightc1503

people1581

stocka1640

stack1652

bestore1661

to lay in1662

c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 339 With alle þe fode þat may be founde frette þy cofer.

c1400 Rom. Rose 4705 Love, it is an hateful pees..A trouthe [Thynne and MS. And through the], fret full of falshede.

c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xxx. 136 All þir greez er..frette full of perle and oþer precious stanes.

c1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 3160 A klub..Thik fret with mani a thwang.

1413 Pilgr. Sowle (1483) iv. xxxii. 81 Armes..wel frett with senewes and al ful of veynes.

1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1554) v. vii. 127 a A croune of fresh Laurer Forged of gold, fret full of stones clere.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2021).

n.¹c1385

n.²1545

n.³a1527

n.⁴1587

n.⁵1688

n.⁶1576

adj.1663

v.¹OE

v.²1340

v.³1401

v.⁴a1400

v.⁵1600

v.⁶c1400

单词	fret
释义	fretn.¹ Brit. /frɛt/, U.S. /frɛt/ Forms: Also Middle English–1800s frette, Middle English–1500s frete, (1500s Scottish fratt). Etymology: apparently < Old French frete trellis-work, interlaced work (modern French frette, in the heraldic sense = 2). This noun and the related fret v.² are commonly believed to represent the Old English frætwe plural, ornaments, frætw(i)an to adorn, but this appears to be phonologically inadmissible, and many of the usual phraseological combinations of the words in Middle English are paralleled by similar uses in Old French. 1. Ornamental interlaced work; a net; an ornament (esp. for the hair) consisting of jewels or flowers in a network. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > pattern or design > [noun] > interlaced fretc1385 friar knots1488 chainwork1551 knot1638 Gordian knotc1660 meander1706 entrelac1723 triquetra1845 knotwork1851 strapwork1854 Celtic knot1865 snake-knot1866 aligreek1867 plaitwork1871 honeycomb work1874 strap-ornament1895 honeycomb1924 c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Prol. A 147 A frette of goold sche hadde next hyre her. c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Prol. B 228 In-with a fret of rede rose leves. 1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 228 With frette of perle upon his hede. 1418 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 36 Wroght wit mapil leues and fret of a iij. foill. ?c1475 Sqr. lowe Degre 212 A ladyes head with many a frete. 1488 in P. F. Tytler Hist. Scotl. (1864) II. 392 A frete of the quenis oure set with grete perle. 1516 Inventories (1815) 26 Item ane paclott of crammesy satene with ane fratt of gold on it with xii. diamantis. 1598 Floure & Leafe in T. Speght Wks. G. Chaucer f. 366^v/1 On her head A rich fret of gold..full of stately rich stones set. 1603 M. Drayton Barrons Wars vi. xliii. 136 About the border in a curious fret, Emblem's, Empresas, Hiroglifiques set. 1867 W. Morris Life & Death of Jason vii. 126 Unto her fragrant breast her hand she set, And drew therefrom a bag of silken fret. 2. Heraldry. Originally, a figure formed by two bendlets, dexter and sinister, intersecting; = French frette. (Cf. fretty adj.¹) In later use, ‘a figure formed by two narrow bands in saltire, interlaced with a mascle’ (Cussans). ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > charge: device on shield > [noun] > less honourable charge > two bands intersecting fretty1562 fret1572 fretwork1864 1572 J. Bossewell Wks. Armorie ii. f. 85^v The Fret borne in this Cote Armour, is founde borne also of diuerse noble Gentle~men. 1603 M. Drayton Barrons Wars ii. xxiii. 32 In his fayre Cornet verdoon doth display A Geuly fret. 1761 Brit. Mag. 2 149 Arms..in the second and third, a fret, or. 1864 C. Boutell Heraldry Hist. & Pop. (ed. 3) xv. 224 Hugh, the head of the family, bears the frette without any difference. 3. †a. Architecture. Carved ornament, esp. in ceilings, consisting of intersecting lines in relief. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > architectural ornament > [noun] > other ornaments pommela1300 crest1430 finial1448 balloon1592 brattishingc1593 knob1610 cartouche1611 ogive1611 fret1626 galace1663 acroterion1664 paternoster1728 semi-urn1742 patera1776 purfling1780 sailing course1807 vesica piscis (also piscium)1809 antefix1819 vesica1820 garland1823 stop1825 Aaron's rod1830 headwork1831 Vitruvian scroll1837 hip knob1838 stelea1840 ball-flower1840 notch-head1843 brandishing1846 buckle1848 cat's-head1848 bucrane1854 cresting1869 semi-ball1875 canephorus1880 crest-board1881 wave pattern1905 husk1934 foliate head1939 green man1939 1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §111 We see in Garden-knots, and the Frets of Houses, and all equall and well answering Figures how they please. 1635 Althorp MS in J. N. Simpkinson Washingtons App. 71 To Butler and his boye..plastering the frett in the drawinge chamber. 1664 J. Evelyn Acct. Archit. in tr. R. Fréart Parallel Antient Archit. 138 Roofs..Emboss'd with Fretts of wonderful relievo. b. An ornamental pattern composed of continuous combinations of straight lines, joined usually at right angles. Also attributive. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > pattern or design > [noun] > geometric checkingc1440 checkc1450 chequer-work1519 pane?a1549 diaper-work1602 chevron1605 diapery1631 fret1664 tooth-work1681 polygram1696 chequer1779 reticulum1797 Grecque1832 checkery1837 gammadion1848 diaper1851 key pattern1853 diapering1866 Greek fret1872 rangoli1884 geometric1894 Greek key1897 step pattern1908 Mondrian1964 1664 J. Evelyn tr. R. Fréart Parallel Antient Archit. ii. ix. 110 The Fret..consists in a certain interlacing of two Lists or small Fillets, which run always in parallel distances equal to their breadth, with this necessary condition, that at every return and intersection they do always fall into right angles. 1665–76 J. Rea Flora 8 A railed fret of twenty-three divisions. 1833 J. Holland Treat. Manuf. Metal II. 172 The fret, an ornament, either of open filigree work, or cast in bold relief..is placed immediately beneath the lowest bar or fret-rail, and in the best kind of stoves it is made stationary. 1836 H. G. Knight Archit. Tour Normandy 199 The most common mouldings are the billet..the zig-zag or embattled frette. 1857 S. Birch Hist. Anc. Pottery (1858) II. 4 The fret or herring-bone is of common occurrence on vases of the oldest style. 1879 J. J. Young Ceramic Art 209 In the kylix on the right, the rectilinear designs and enclosed squares become the fret. Compounds fret-cutting n. the cutting of wood with a fret saw into ornamental designs; also attributive. fretwood n. wood prepared for fretwork n. (sense 2). Also fretsaw n. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > wood > [noun] > wood for other specific uses mazera1200 waywoodware1334 piling1422 tenter-timber1562 pinwood1580 mazer wood1594 stop-rice1653 pudlay1679 puncheon1686 veneer1702 pit-wood1715 broach-wood1835 chipwood1838 matchwood1838 fretwood1881 pulpwood1881 coffin-wood1883 bur1885 spool-wood1895 society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > plastic art > sculpture or carving > [noun] > processes or techniques > specific relating to wood fret-cutting1881 fretwork1881 1881 F. Young Every Man his own Mechanic §530 Small pieces of ornamental furniture..can be adorned most effectively by fret-cutting. 1881 F. Young Every Man his own Mechanic §663 A fret-cutting treadle~machine. 1885 Bazaar, Exchange & Mart 30 Mar. 1262/3 12 ft. planed fret~wood. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022). fretn.² Brit. /frɛt/, U.S. /frɛt/ Forms: Also 1500s frete, freete, freate, 1600s freat. Etymology: < fret v.¹ 1. A gnawing or wearing away, erosion. Now rare. Also concrete †a canker, a fretting sore; a decayed spot (in the wood of a bow or arrow, in a hair). ΘΚΠ the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > [noun] > decay or decaying > that which is decayed > a decayed spot or part rotten?c1425 fret1545 the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > suppuration > [noun] > a suppuration > abscess > ulcer cankereOE rankle?c1190 fester?c1225 gutefestre?c1225 malemorte1341 mormalc1387 red gownc1400 ulcerc1400 fistula?a1425 esthiomene?1541 fret1545 exulceration1551 phagedaena1567 sycosis1580 ulceration1580 run1648 ulcuscle1794 festering1804 the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > [noun] > loss of material > wearing away wearing1473 erosion?1541 forwearing1609 wear1729 fret1822 the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > [noun] > loss of material > eating away gnawing1340 fretting1382 gnaw1735 fret1830 1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. f. 10 Freetes be in a shaft as well as in a bowe, and they be muche lyke a Canker, crepynge and encreasynge in those places in a bowe, whyche be weaker then other. 1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iv. iv. 173 This string to his bow is so full of gauls, frets, and knots, it cannot hold. 1681 J. Chetham Angler's Vade Mecum ii. 8 Such [hairs] as are..free from galls, scabs and frets. 1822 J. M. Good Study Med. II. 315 The fret or erosion which frequently takes place in different parts of the skin. 1830 Ld. Tennyson Poems 41 Before..the busy fret Of that sharpheaded worm begins. figurative.1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 391 And now behold how many pumples and fretts lurke under this one skabbe of the popish doctrine.1588 G. Babington Profitable Expos. Lords Prayer i. 13 If thou desirest to bee free from the fret of enuie..pray.1603 M. Drayton Barrons Wars iii. xli. 62 Time neuer tuch'd him with deforming fret.1606 G. W. tr. Epit. Liues Emperors in tr. Justinus Hist. sig. Gg 6^v He was a diligent repressor of Eunuches and Courtiers, calling them the mothes and frettes of the Pallace. 2. Pain in the bowels, gripes, colic. Also plural. Now dialect. Cf. fret v.¹ 4. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > pain in specific parts > [noun] > in stomach or bowels womb achea1398 gnawing1398 torsionc1425 colicc1440 frettingc1440 the wormc1500 wringc1500 griping1526 wresting?1543 wringing?1550 bellyache1552 torment1578 colic passion1586 wind-colic1593 belly-thrawe1595 belly-grinding1597 fret1600 gripe1601 wrenching1607 mulligrubsa1625 bellywarka1652 torminaa1655 efferation1684 stomach-ache1763 gastrodynia1804 guts-ache1818 stony colic1822 wame-ill1829 gastralgia1834 tummy ache1926 1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique ii. xlix. 316 Oile of [Jesamin]..will..appease the frets of yoong children. 1652 N. Culpeper Eng. Physitian Enlarged 161 Children..are troubled with winde in the stomach or belly, which they [Nurses] call the Frets. 1681 W. Robertson Phraseologia generalis (1693) 642 The fret, or mouldy-grubs. 1842 C. W. Johnson Farmer's Encycl. 508/2 Fret, in farriery, a name sometimes applied to gripes or colic in horses or other cattle. 3. Agitation of mind; a ruffled condition of temper; irritation, passion, vexation; also, querulous or peevish utterance. In fret of mind, fret and fever, fret and fume. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > suffering > state of annoyance or vexation > [noun] annoy?c1225 noyancec1400 vexation?a1425 crabbingc1450 annoyance1502 grudging1530 vexation of spirit1535 fret1556 fashery1558 spitea1586 gall1591 molestation1598 annoyment1607 incommodation1664 vexednessa1670 tracasserie1715 incommodement1733 frettation1779 vex1815 balls-ache1938 sterks1941 the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > peevishness > [noun] > peevish utterance fret1556 1556 J. Heywood Spider & Flie xliii. 38 This formost spider and flie in furious fret, Frowning ech on other. 1607 T. Middleton Revengers Trag. i. sig. A2 The thought of that Turnes my abused heart-strings into fret. 1612 in R. F. Williams Birch's Court & Times James I (1849) (modernized text) I. 184 He is..blamed..as if he had hastened his brother's end by putting him into frets. 1647 J. Trapp Comm. Epist. & Rev. (2 Cor. xii. 5) They make us sick of the fret. 1664 H. More Modest Enq. Myst. Iniquity xx. 77 It were a plague and fret of mind..to the poor credulous Laiety. 1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier 154 My Lord was in as great a Fret as I. 1820 C. Lamb in London Mag. Aug. 143/1 Situated as thou art..amid the fret and fever of speculation. 1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. iii. vii. 193 A fret and fever that keeps heart and brain on fire. a1865 E. C. Gaskell Wives & Daughters (1866) I. xxix. 325 He heard his wife's plaintive fret. 1886 C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David VII. Ps. cxxvii. 2 Those whom the Lord loves are delivered from the fret and fume of life. †4. A sudden disturbance (of weather); a gust, squall (of wind); in early use also, agitation of waves. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > excitement > nervous excitement > [noun] fever1340 motiona1398 quotidian?a1439 rufflea1535 commotion1581 fret1582 hurry1600 puddering1603 tumultuousnessa1617 trepidation1625 feverishness1638 boilingc1660 fermentationc1660 tumult1663 ferment1672 stickle1681 fuss1705 whirl1707 flurry1710 sweat1715 fluster1728 pucker1740 flutter1741 flustration1747 flutteration1753 tremor1753 swithera1768 twitteration1775 state1781 stew1806 scrow1808 tumultuating1815 flurrification1822 tew1825 purr1842 pirr1856 tête montée1859 go1866 faff1874 poultry flutter1876 palaver1878 thirl1879 razzle-dazzle1885 nervism1887 flurry-scurry1888 fikiness1889 foment1889 dither1891 swivet1892 flusterment1895 tither1896 overwroughtness1923 mania1925 stumer1932 tizzy1935 two and eight1938 snit1939 tizz1953 tiswas1960 wahala1966 the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > bad weather > [noun] > a disturbance of the elements > sudden and violent pirrie1440 fuddera1522 fret1582 squall1719 flaw1791 williwaw1832 willy1832 line-squall1887 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 6 Through Sicil his raging wyld frets..you sayled [L. Scyllæam rabiem experti]. 1589 Voy. W. Towrson in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations i. 130 It [sc. foresaile] was blowen from the yarde with a freat. 1590 R. Ferris Most Dangerous Aduenture sig. A4 We were in a great frett by reason of the race. 1653–4 B. Whitelocke Jrnl. Swedish Ambassy (1772) I. 166 Such frets of weather in twenty howers time..that [etc.]. 1678 H. Teonge Diary (1825) 269 At on this morning roase a frett of wind. a1734 R. North Lives of Norths (1826) II. 316 Between Ireland and the height of the Cape, such frets of wind came down. figurative.1750 S. Johnson Rambler No. 73. ⁋10 Frustrated of my hopes by a fret of dotage. 5. Secondary fermentation in liquors. on or upon the fret. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > drink > manufacture of alcoholic drink > [noun] > fermentation > secondary fermentation fret1664 fretting1699 the world > food and drink > drink > manufacture of alcoholic drink > [adjective] > fermenting > secondary on or upon the fret1664 fretting1733 1664 P. Neil in J. Evelyn Pomona in Sylva 40 Men like or dislike drink that hath more or less of the fret in it. 1669 W. Charleton Mysterie of Vintners in Two Disc. 174 White Wines upon the Frett. 1710 T. Fuller Pharmacopœia Extemporanea 1 Midling Ale..fresh, and not upon the fret. 1763 S. T. Janssen Smuggling 111 The Officer should not dip when any Wines are upon the Fret. 1808 C. Vancouver Gen. View Agric. Devon ix. 240 When every symptom of fret is wholly subsided, the cider is racked off. 1890 J. D. Robertson Gloss. Words County of Gloucester Fret, a gaseous fermentation of cider or beer. 6. on or upon the fret (see senses 3, 4; perhaps partly transferred from sense 5): in a state of agitation, irritation, ill-humour, or impatience. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > anger > irritation > [adjective] annoyedc1330 crabbedc1480 provoked1538 chafing1539 nettledc1576 chafed1582 irritated1595 as mad as Ajax1598 aggravated1611 enchafeda1616 irritate1626 on or upon the fret1679 as mad as a wet hen1823 as mad as a meat axe1855 scotty1867 hacked1892 raggy1900 ratty1909 pipped1914 fucked-off1923 rubbed1927 eggy1935 broigus1937 salty1938 pissed1943 peed off1948 1679 T. Shadwell True Widow i. 6 'Tis some Roring Ranting Play that's upon the fret all the while. 1688 Vox Cleri Pro Rege 3 But he fears nothing, when his Zeal and his Discretion are once upon the fret. 1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 160 The Surface..cover'd with Froth and Bubbles; for it [sc. the River] runs all along upon the Fret. 1705 S. Whately in W. S. Perry Hist. Coll. Amer. Colonial Church: Virginia (1870) I. 166 Crying out whenever he is put upon the fret, ‘Gov^r Nicholson’. 1782 F. Burney Cecilia V. x. x. 386 The moment you have put him upon the fret, you'll fall into the dumps yourself. 1839 T. De Quincey Lake Reminisc. in Tait's Edinb. Mag. Feb. 98/2 Flanders..on the fret for an insurrectionary war. 1858 R. S. Surtees Ask Mamma xxv. 94 He was always either on the strut or the fret. Draft additions 1993 Forms: Also 9 freet. Frequency (in current use): Show frequency band information b. In coastal areas: a mist or fog coming in from the sea, a sea fog; also, a light rain or drizzle. Chiefly northern dialect. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > cloud > mist > [noun] > thick mist or fog > sea-fog haar1662 sea fog1796 water smoke1813 fret1842 water-eynd1883 the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > precipitation or atmospheric moisture > rain > [noun] > light or fine rain roke1292 mull-rain1440 mizzle1490 rugc1540 drizzlea1612 dag1808 smur1808 sprinkle1829 skew1839 fret1982 1842 C. Ridley Let. Feb. in U. Ridley Cecilia (1958) vii. 86 This evening everything was thawing but I imagine it was only what they call a sea fret. 1892 R. O. Heslop Northumberland Words Fret, freet, a wet fog. 1963 Times 13 June 3/3 It was half past seven, the light was bad enough to have stopped play in an ordinary county match, with the fret coming like clouds of bonfire smoke across the ground. 1982 P. Mann Eye of Queen 132 The rain slowed to a heavy fret and then stopped completely. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022). fretn.³ /frɛt/ Forms: Also Middle English–1500s freyte. Etymology: of uncertain etymology. Possibly a use of Old French frete ring, ferrule (see fret n.⁵). Another possibility is that it is connected with fret v.⁵ to rub (compare quot. 1606). In musical instruments like the guitar, formerly a ring of gut (Stainer), now a bar or ridge of wood, metal, etc. placed on the fingerboard, to regulate the fingering. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > stringed instruments > lute- or viol-type parts > [noun] > fret magade?a1475 freta1527 stop1530 a1527 W. Peeris Prov. in Anglia (1892) 14 478 In myddest of the body [of Lute] the stryngis soondith best. For stoppide in the freytis they abyde the pynnes wrest. 1565 J. Calfhill Aunswere Treat. Crosse f. 21^v If the strings be out of tune, or frets disordered, there wanteth the harmony. 1606 G. Chapman Monsieur D'Oliue i. B 3 b The string sounds euer well, that rubs not too much ath frets. 1698 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 20 80 The Frets are nearer to one another toward the Bridge. 1788 T. Cavallo in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 78 242 In a set of musical keys, pipes, or frets, a temperament is absolutely necessary. 1837 Blackwood's Mag. 41 92 The violin, which once had six strings, with guitar frets, was fortunately relieved from these superfluities. figurative.1587 Gascoigne's Wks., Hearbes , &c., Commend. Verse Whose cords were coucht on frets of deepe disdaine.attributive.1814 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision III. xx. 22 As sound Of cittern, at the fret-board..Is..modulate and tuned. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online June 2022). fretn.⁴ Brit. /frɛt/, U.S. /frɛt/ Etymology: < Old French frete, fraite, fraicte, breach. rare. A breach or passage made by the sea. (Quot. 1884 perhaps belongs to fret n.²) ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > land > land mass > shore or bank > bend in coast > [noun] > inlet in river or sea > in sea fleetc893 pillOE arm of the seaOE sounda1300 lougha1387 bracec1400 lough1423 firthc1425 loch1427 resort1477 estuarya1552 inshot1555 mere1574 portlet1577 fret1587 frith1600 sea-gate1605 creek1625 sea-lochc1645 wick1664 fjord1674 voea1688 backwater1867 strait gulf1867 ocean-arm1871 ria1887 fjard1904 geo1934 1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1537/2 They had no entrance at all, vntill the riuer had made a new fret. 1633 T. Stafford Pacata Hibernia iii. vi. 305 Before they could compasse the fret, or cleft rocky ground as aforesaid. 1884 Times 15 Aug. 5 The sands had a tendency to accumulate in the Upper Mersey and..it was the ‘frets’ and erosion of the sand banks which counteracted this tendency. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022). fretn.⁵ Brit. /frɛt/, U.S. /frɛt/ Etymology: < Old French frete (modern French frette) a ferrule, ring (also spec. as below). Obsolete exc. dialect. (See quots.) ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > wheel > [noun] > parts of wheels > hub or nave > ring around nave-band1618 fret1688 nave-hoop1802 1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory iii. 332/1 The Frets..of a Wheel..are Iron Hoops about the Nave. 1887 T. Darlington Folk-speech S. Cheshire Fret, the belt of iron which goes round the nave of a wheel. Also called Clam. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † fretn.⁶ Forms: Also 1600s frete. Etymology: < Latin fretum. (Perhaps confused with fret n.⁴). Obsolete. A strait. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > water > sea or ocean > channel > [noun] > strait or narrow channel sounda1300 straitc1386 narrowa1544 kyle1549 guta1552 distrait1562 fret1576 pacea1578 cut1598 narrow seas1615 Propontis1689 neck1719 tickle1770 rigolet1771 khal1903 1576 H. Gilbert Disc. Passage Cataia i. sig. B An Islande [America]..hauing on the southside of it, the frete, or strayte of Magellan. 1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 345 This Sea coast of Britaine is seperated from the Continent of Europe by a frete or streight. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica vii. xiii. 364 In this Euripe or fret of Negropont..Aristotle drowned himselfe, as many affirme. View more context for this quotation a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Wales 17 A small Fret (known by the peculiar name of Menai) sundreth it from the Welsh Continent. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online December 2021). fretadj. Brit. /frɛt/, U.S. /frɛt/ Etymology: past participle of fret v.² Of a ceiling: = fretted adj.² ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > pattern or design > [adjective] > geometric diapered?a1400 frettedc1420 checkeryc1440 checkeda1475 diaper1480 chequered1486 lozenged1523 diapery1605 fret1663 lozengy1686 reticulated1753 geometrical1777 reticular1783 geometric1842 Z-shaped1858 chessboard1889 1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 45 Summers..to be framed in such a proportion as may serve to make an Italian fret Seeling. 1720 J. Strype Stow's Surv. of London (rev. ed.) I. ii. xiii. 191/1 This Church..was built in an octangular Form, with a fine fret Cieling. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022). fretv.¹ Brit. /frɛt/, U.S. /frɛt/ Forms: Past tense and participle fretted. Present participle fretting. Forms: infinitive Old English fretan, Middle English freoten, Middle English–1500s frete(n, Middle English southern vreten, Middle English fretyn, freete, 1500s freat(e, 1500s–1600s frett(e, Middle English– fret. past tense Old English–Middle English frǽt, Middle English fret(e, southern vret, freet, Middle English frat(e, frette, 1500s fret; also weak Middle English freted, 1500s– fretted. past participle Old English freten, Middle English freaten, fretyn(e, Middle English frete, frette; weak 1500s– fretted; also Middle English–1600s fret. Also Middle English i-, yfrete(n, Middle English–1500s i-, yfret(te. Etymology: Old English fretan strong verb (conjugated like etan to eat v.) = Middle Low German, Middle Dutch vrēten (Dutch vreten ), Old High German frez̧z̧en (Middle High German vrez̧z̧en , modern German fressen ), Gothic fraitan (preterite frêt ), < Old Germanic fra- (see for- prefix¹) + etan to eat v.In Old English a strong verb of Class V; a prefixed form gefretan* to eat up, devour (compare y- prefix) is also attested. Compare also the related Old English weak Class I verb frettan to eat up, devour, to graze, to let an animal eat up (a crop), cognate with Middle Low German vretten to let an animal feed on or eat up (a crop), Old High German frezzen to eat up, devour, consume, to graze, to let an animal feed on or eat up (a crop) (Middle High German vretzen , veretzen ), Gothic fra-atjan to distribute (for consumption) < the Germanic base of for- prefix¹ + an ablaut variant (o -grade) of the same Germanic base as eat v. †1. a. transitive. Chiefly of animals: To eat, devour. Also with up and to eat of. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > eating by animals > feed on or forage for (of animals) [verb (transitive)] fretOE rustle1835 OE Beowulf 1582 He..fræt..fyftyne men. OE Anglo-Saxon Chron. an. 894 Hie..hæfdon miclne dæl þara horsa freten. c1175 Lamb. Hom. 133 Sum [sede feol] bi þe weie..and fuȝeles hit freten. c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 36 Þe kaue..fret of þet schulde forð bringe cwike briddes. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 15813 Let þu þa hundes..eiðer freten oðer. a1300 E.E. Psalter (Horstman) lxxix. 14 A beste frate it and nama. c1315 Shoreham 161 Opone thy wombe thou schalt glyde, And erthe frete. a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 4027 Ðis leun sal oðer folc freten. 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xviii 194 Adam after~ward aȝeines hus defence Frette of þat fruit. c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Ariadne. 1951 And into a prysoun..cast is he Tyl..he shulde fretyn be. c1394 P. Pl. Crede 729 Þey freten vp the furste froyt & falsliche lybbeþ. absolute.1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. ii. 95 And in fastyng-dayes to frete ar ful tyme were.1447 O. Bokenham Lyvys Seyntys (1835) 71 Have of thine own and faste gyne to frete. †b. transferred. To devour, consume, destroy. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > destroy [verb (transitive)] > devour, engulf, or consume (of fire, water, etc.) supeOE eatc950 fretc1000 forthnimc1175 forfret?c1225 to-fret?c1225 swallowa1340 devourc1374 upsoup1382 consumea1398 bisweligha1400 founderc1400 absorb1490 to swallow up1531 upsupa1547 incinerate1555 upswallow1591 fire1592 absume1596 abyss1596 worm1604 depredate1626 to gulp downa1644 whelm1667 c1000 Ælfric Deut. xxxii. 22 Fyr fryt land mid his wæstme. ?a1366 Romaunt Rose 387 For alle thing it [tyme] fret and shal. 1388 Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) Micah v. 6 Thei shulen frete the lond of Assur bi swerd. c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 404 Þat þe flod nade al freten with freȝtande wawez. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 9691 A tru to be takon..þaire men for to bery, And to frete hom with fyre. absolute.1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 43 Thee fyre heer on fretting [L. ignis edax] with blaze too rafter is heaued. 2. a. To gnaw; to consume, torture or wear away by gnawing. Now only of small animals: = eat v. 9. Also intransitive (const. on, into). ΘΚΠ the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > cause bad condition in [verb (transitive)] > eat away begnawa1000 gnawa1000 freta1200 corrode1555 eat1555 befreta1592 a1200 Moral Ode 274 Naddren and snaken..tered and freteð þe uuele speken. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 1948 Heo [fleoȝen] freten [c1300 Otho heten] þet corn & þat græs. c1275 XI Pains of Hell 19 in Old Eng. Misc. 147 Wrmes habbeþ my fleys ifreten. 1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 6570 Vermyn grete..þe synful men sal gnaw and frete. 1340–70 Alisaunder 1159 Fayre handes & feete freaten too the bonne. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 171 Wormes..frate so Julianus his neþer ende þat [etc.]. 1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1554) vii. ii. 166 b His flesh gan turne to corrupcion Fret with wormes vpon eche partie. c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Add. MS.) lxvii. 384 I suffere thes todes to frete. a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xlvii. l. 207 On his hondis he gan to frete. 1551 Psalter xxxix. 12 Like as it wer a moth fretting a garment. 1557 W. Baldwin & T. Palfreyman Treat. Morall Philos. (new ed.) v. ix. f. 146^v The mothes and softe woormes, frette the cloth. a1577 G. Gascoigne Hundred Flowers in Wks. (1587) 92 The greedie wormes that linger for the nones, To fret vpon her flesh. 1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 198 The Dragons put in their heads into their snout..and withall fret and gnaw the tenderest part. 1826 C. Lamb in New Monthly Mag. 16 264 We cannot bear to have our thin wardrobe eaten and fretted into by moths. 1864 A. C. Swinburne Atalanta 1423 The..bee Flits through flowering rush to fret White or duskier violet. figurative.1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) ii. xix. 45 The fende..purposyth to chew and to frete the clene lyf of gode men. b. To champ (the bit); also absol. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > habits and actions of horse > [verb (transitive)] > champ the bit gnipc1425 champ1577 fret1835 1835 E. Bulwer-Lytton Rienzi II. v. ii. 213 Fretting his proud heart, as a steed frets on the bit. 1850 J. S. Blackie tr. Æschylus Lyrical Dramas II. 67 A young colt That frets the bit..Art thou. 3. a. transferred of slow and gradual destructive action, as of frost, rust, disease, chemical corrosives, friction, the waves, etc.: = eat v. 10. Const. into, to (the result). Also with asunder, away, in pieces, off, out.In this and the following senses this vb. has partly coalesced with fret v.⁴ ΘΚΠ the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > cause bad condition in [verb (transitive)] > corrode or erode forfret?c1225 fret?c1225 gnaw1530 to eat awaya1538 eat1555 arrode1575 corrode1594 out-eatc1595 eat1609 erode1612 to eat out1616 bite1623 etch1664 exede1669 cancer1824 to eat in- ?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 140 He fret him seolue weilawei as þefile deð. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvi. vii. 833 Þe foome þerof [sc. siluer]..freteþ away superfluite of deed fleisshe. c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 1040 Þe soyle by þat se halues..fel fretes þe flesch. c1430 in Pol. Rel. & L. Poems 183 Þe rust þat þi siluer duþ freete. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xii^v The thistyll..freteth away the cornes nigh it. a1577 G. Gascoigne Hundred Flowers in Wks. (1587) 69 I may no praise unto a knife bequeath Wyth rust yfret though painted be the sheath. 1589 W. Wren in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations i. 148 Our cable was fretted in sunder with a rocke. 1590 R. Payne Briefe Descr. Ireland (1841) 5 The seas fretteth away the Ice and Snowe. 1594 H. Plat Jewell House 37 Inkes that..would corrode or fret the paper in peeces. 1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. xii. 276 The barble fishes..will set the line against their backes, and..presently saw and fret the same asunder. 1640 T. Fuller Joseph's Coat 175 Some Theeves have..fretted off their Fetters with Mercury water. a1657 W. Burton Comm. Antoninus his Itinerary (1658) 158 The name of the City [on the coin] fretted out and quite worn away with age. 1660 R. Boyle New Exper. Physico-mechanicall xxii. 166 The Air..is so sharp, that in a short time it frets not only Iron Plates, but..Tiles upon the Roofs of Houses. 1727 W. Mather Young Man's Compan. (ed. 13) 74 The Copperas in the Ink will fret the Nibs. 1859 C. Kingsley Misc. (1860) I. 106 An island fretted by every frost and storm. 1878 T. H. Huxley Physiography (ed. 2) 134 The river frets away the rocks along its banks. absolute.1526 Bible (Tyndale) 2 Tim. ii. 11 Their wordes shall fret even as doeth a Cancre.1597 J. Gerard Herball i. 135 The Onions do fret, attenuate or make thin.1610 G. Markham Maister-peece ii. clxxiii. 484 Arsnick..eateth, and fretteth, being a very strong corrosiue.1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. (at cited word) [Said of a grindstone] Capital stone, it frets (i.e. grinds) well. b. figurative. Chiefly of the passions, etc.: To ‘devour’, ‘consume’, torment; cf. eat v. 10c. Also, to fret oneself. Obsolete except in fret the heart, in which use this sense is now hardly distinguishable from 8. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > cause of mental anguish or torment > cause anguish to or torment [verb (transitive)] quelmeOE eatc1000 martyrOE fretc1175 woundc1175 to-fret?c1225 gnawc1230 to-traya1250 torment1297 renda1333 anguish1340 grindc1350 wringc1374 debreakc1384 ofpinec1390 rivea1400 urn1488 reboil1528 whip1530 cruciate1532 pinch1548 spur-galla1555 agonize1570 rack1576 cut1582 excruciate1590 scorchc1595 discruciate1596 butcher1597 split1597 torture1598 lacerate1600 harrow1603 hell1614 to eat upa1616 arrow1628 martyrize1652 percruciate1656 tear1666 crucify1702 flay1782 wrench1798 kill1800 to cut up1843 c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 16133 Hat lufe towarrd godess hus Me freteþþ att min herrte. 1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 98 Full of..wrathfull thought He fret him selven all to nought. 1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1554) iv. i. 101 a This Manlius was fret in his corage To greater worships sodainly to ascende. c1450 How Goode Wif thaught Doughter 80 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 185 Envyouse herte hym selfe fretithe, my dere childe. a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil Certain Bks. Aenæis (1557) iv. sig. Div^v Dido doth burne with loue, rage fretes her boones. 1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. (1609) ix. xiv. 322 Their hearts alreadie fretted and cankered at the very roote, for the last disgrace received. 1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 260. ⁋1 A crafty Constitution, and an uneasy Mind is fretted with vexatious Passions. 1748 S. Richardson Clarissa III. xliii. 222 It did teaze me; insomuch that my very heart was fretted. 1850 J. G. Saxe Poems 27 The very sigh That her stately bosom was fretting. 1856 N. Hawthorne Jrnl. 10 May in Eng. Notebks. (1997) II. iv. 26 So many curiosities drive one crazy, and fret one's heart to death. †c. to fret out (time): to waste. ΘΚΠ the world > time > spending time > spend time or allow time to pass [verb (transitive)] > waste time leese?c1225 losea1340 defer1382 wastea1400 slip1435 consumea1500 superexpend1513 slow?1522 sloth1523 to fode forth1525 slack1548 dree1584 sleuth1584 confound1598 spenda1604 to fret out1608 to spin out1608 misplace1609 spend1614 tavern1628 devast1632 to drill away, on, outa1656 dulla1682 to dally away1685 squander1693 to linger awaya1704 dangle1727 dawdle1768 slim1812 diddle1826 to run out the clock1957 1608 R. Armin Nest of Ninnies sig. B4 By the third is cald to question most that musically fret their time out in idle baubling. †4. Said of pains in the stomach or bowels. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > pain in specific parts > suffer pain in specific parts [verb (transitive)] > in stomach or bowels fretc1275 wresta1529 gripe1611 c1275 XI Pains Hell 148 in Old Eng. Misc. 151 Gripes freteþ heore Mawen. c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 179/1 Fretyn, or chervyn, torqueo. 5. To form or make by wearing away; = eat v. 11. With cognate object to fret its way. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > cause bad condition in [verb (transitive)] > cause to waste away > wear away or down > form or produce by work1585 fret1597 wear1597 1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II iii. iii. 166 Till they haue fretted vs a paire of graues Within the earth. View more context for this quotation 1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear iv. 278 Let it stampe wrinckles in her brow of youth, with accent teares, fret channels in her cheeks. View more context for this quotation 1642 T. Fuller Holy State v. xix. 441 As if his eager soul, biting for anger at the clog of his body, desired to fret a passage through it. 1872 C. King Mountaineering in Sierra Nevada iv. 87 A broad white torrent fretting its way along the bottom of an impassable gorge. †6. intransitive. To make a way by gnawing or corrosion; literal and figurative; = eat v. 12. Also with through. Const. into, to. Obsolete. ΚΠ 1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles ii. 127 The ffresinge ffrost ffreted to here hertis. 1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xxxii. 159 With knotted whyppes in the flesshe to frete. 1534 Act 26 Hen. VIII c. 9 The flud and rage of the sea..doth freate..in dyuers places. 1567 G. Turberville Epit., Epigr. (1837) 368 Eche lowering looke of yours, frets farther in my hart. 1612 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. I. ii. viii. 455 How dangerous it is, to suffer sinne to lye fretting into the soule! 1625 N. Carpenter Geogr. Delineated ii. vii. 123 The Water..would sooner fret through and cause a passage, then make a stoppage. 1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine iv. v. 82 His [sc. the Nile's] streams fret one into another. 1650 T. Fuller Pisgah-sight of Palestine iii. 373 Perforations, which in process of time might fret in, and indent into the structure it self. 1676 R. Wiseman Severall Chirurg. Treat. i. xvii. 80 Many Wheals arose, and fretted one into another, with great Excoriation. †7. intransitive for reflexive. To become eaten, corroded, or worn; to waste or wear away; to decay, become corrupt. Also with asunder, off, out. Obsolete. Cf. fret v.⁴ 2. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > deteriorate in condition [verb (intransitive)] > be decayed > decay to-dreseOE forbraidc1220 perisha1382 fret1486 to fall awayc1510 decay1511 pallc1560 1486 Bk. St. Albans B ij b And that same penne shalle frete asonder, and fall a way. 1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. f. 10 Bowes moost commonlye freate vnder the hande..for the heete of the hand. 1568 Newe Comedie Iacob & Esau ii. iv. sig. C.iv^v If I had bidden from meate any longer, I thinke my very mawe would haue frette asonder. 1593 M. Drayton Ideas Mirrour sig. D3 Mettles doe waste, and fret with cankers rust. 1657 W. Rand tr. P. Gassendi Mirrour of Nobility v. 128 When passing through a coloured glasse, they [the Raies of the Sun] fret off, and carry with them some portion of the colour. a1735 Earl of Haddington Short Treat. Forest-trees 23 in J. G. Reid Scots Gardiner (1756) They [sc. alder trees] fretted at the top, and died. 1762 W. Falconer Shipwreck ii. 31 The leather fretting..By friction wore, must ever be supply'd. 1804 J. Abernethy Surg. Observ. 111 The wound fretted out into a sore. 8. transitive. To chafe, irritate. Chiefly with regard to the mind: To annoy, distress, vex, worry. Also, to fret oneself; and to bring into or to (a specified condition) by worrying. Cf. fret v.⁴ 1. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > [verb (reflexive)] fretc1290 overfret1445 solicita1450 turmoil?1529 moila1560 to fret one's gizzard1755 to worry (oneself), be worried, sick1952 the mind > emotion > suffering > state of annoyance or vexation > be annoyed or vexed by [verb (transitive)] > annoy or vex gremec893 dretchc900 awhenec1000 teenOE fretc1290 annoyc1300 atrayc1320 encumberc1330 diseasec1340 grindc1350 distemperc1386 offenda1387 arra1400 avexa1400 derea1400 miscomforta1400 angerc1400 engrievec1400 vex1418 molesta1425 entrouble?1435 destroublea1450 poina1450 rubc1450 to wring (a person) on the mailsc1450 disprofit1483 agrea1492 trouble1515 grig1553 mis-set?1553 nip?1553 grate1555 gripe1559 spitec1563 fike?1572 gall1573 corsie1574 corrosive1581 touch1581 disaccommodate1586 macerate1588 perplex1590 thorn1592 exulcerate1593 plague1595 incommode1598 affret1600 brier1601 to gall or tread on (one's) kibes1603 discommodate1606 incommodate1611 to grate on or upon1631 disincommodate1635 shog1636 ulcerate1647 incommodiate1650 to put (a person) out of his (her, etc.) way1653 discommodiate1654 discommode1657 ruffle1659 regrate1661 disoblige1668 torment1718 pesta1729 chagrin1734 pingle1740 bothera1745 potter1747 wherrit1762 to tweak the nose of1784 to play up1803 tout1808 rasp1810 outrage1818 worrit1818 werrit1825 buggerlug1850 taigle1865 get1867 to give a person the pip1881 to get across ——1888 nark1888 eat1893 to twist the tail1895 dudgeon1906 to tweak the tail of1909 sore1929 to put up1930 wouldn't it rip you!1941 sheg1943 to dick around1944 cheese1946 to pee off1946 to honk off1970 to fuck off1973 to tweak (a person's or thing's) tail1977 to tweak (a person's or thing's) nose1983 to wind up1984 to dick about1996 to-teen- the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > worry about [verb (transitive)] > cause worry to busyeOE fretc1290 exercise1531 to lead, rarely give (a person) a dancea1545 pingle1740 potter1763 fidget1785 worrit1818 worry1822 bite1909 disquieten1921 to stress out1983 c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 187/95 So þat þe salt scholde is woundene frete. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms xxxvi[i]. 1 Frett not thy self at the vngodly. 1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. f. 2^v Buckles and agglettes at vnwares, shall race hys bowe, a thinge..perilous for freatynge. 1594 S. Forman Autobiogr. & Diary (1849) 26 She cam not to me, and I was marvailously freted with yt. 1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 76 You may as well forbid the mountaine of Pines to wag their high tops..when they are fretten [1623 fretted] with the gusts of heauen. View more context for this quotation 1658 T. Bromhall Treat. Specters i. 52 They that stood by mocked him, and he being fretted went away. 1693 W. Freke Sel. Ess. 265 Arrows..fret Horse doubly more than Guns can. 1709 R. Steele & J. Addison Tatler No. 160. ⁋9 I should have fretted my self to Death at this Promise of a Second Visit. 1768 O. Goldsmith Good Natur'd Man i. 2 I have tried to fret him myself. 1801 R. Southey Thalaba II. xi. 263 The busy hand Of Consolation, fretting the sore wound. 1820 W. Irving Sketch Bk. I. 207 The horses were urged and checked until they were fretted into a foam. a1854 Ld. Cockburn Memorials (1856) iv. 222 They were fretted into something like contempt by the rejection of a claim. 1859 ‘G. Eliot’ Adam Bede I. i. iv. 68 The long-lost mother..once fretted our young souls with her anxious humours. 1867 A. Trollope Last Chron. Barset I. xi. 91 The bishop..fretted himself in his chair, moving about with little movements. absolute.c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 173 Þe bladdre ne mai not be soudid if it be kutt..for..þe urine fretiþ and þat lettiþ þe souding.1712 J. Arbuthnot John Bull Still in Senses v. 19 Injuries from Friends fret and gall more. 9. a. intransitive for reflexive. To distress oneself with constant thoughts of regret or discontent; to vex oneself, chafe, worry. Often with additional notion of giving querulous and peevish expression to these feelings. Also, to fret and fume, and fret it out, and const. about, after, at, over, upon. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > suffering > regret > [verb (intransitive)] sorroweOE aruec1000 ruea1400 overthinka1450 regretc1450 to rue the day (also hour)c1461 fret1551 to cry over spilt milk (or water)1738 the mind > emotion > anger > irritation > be or become irritated [verb (intransitive)] enchafec1380 fume and chafec1522 chafe1525 to fret and fume1551 rankle1582 to lose patience, one's temper1622 pique1664 to have no patience with1682 ruffle1719 to be out of the way (with)1740 echinate1792 nettle1810 to get one's dander up1831 to set up one's jay-feathers1880 hackle1935 to get off one's bike1939 the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > worry > be worried [verb (intransitive)] to annoy of?c1400 fret1551 moil1567 ferret1807 worrit1854 worry1860 whittle1880 fidget1884 agonize1915 to worry (oneself), be worried, sick1952 to stress out1983 stress1988 1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia i. sig. Eiii He..so fret so fumed & chafed at it. 1573 G. Harvey Let.-bk. (1884) 46 [He] chafid and frettid like a proctor. 1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge v. iii. sig. I3^v Another frets, and sets his grinding teeth, Foaming with rage. 1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes iii. iii. 188 The more conspicuously are their evill deeds discovered: which makes them the more fret and fume. 1646 J. Hall Horæ Vacivæ 53 Hanniball gallantly frets it out in Silius. 1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. i. iv. 81 He fretted to see his inferiours raised. 1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 9. ⁋1 He neither languishes nor burns, but frets for Love. 1768 O. Goldsmith Good Natur'd Man v. 62 He only frets to keep himself employed. a1790 B. Franklin Autobiogr. (1981) i. 35 Fretting about the Money Collins had got from me. 1805 R. Anderson Ballads in Cumberland Dial. 33 Another neet'll suin be here, Sae divvent freet and whine. 1833 H. Martineau Manch. Strike (new ed.) i. 7 Don't fret, wife, we must do as others do. 1837 E. Howard Old Commodore III. 69 Timothy began to fret upon it. 1842 Ld. Tennyson May Queen (new ed.) Concl. xii, in Poems (new ed.) I. 173 Say to Robert a kind word, and tell him not to fret. 1854 W. Collins Hide & Seek I. vii. 247 Don't forget the letter, sir, for I shan't fret so much after her, when once I've got that! 1865 M. C. Harris St. Philip's xi She went through life..fretting at her lot. 1875 W. S. Hayward Love against World 83 In secret, Jasper fretted and fumed. 1879 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. 3rd Ser. i. 14 Englishmen were fretting under their enforced abstinence [etc.]. 1899 A. Skeel & W. H. Brearley King Washington 224 In vain the captain fretted over the delay. b. quasi-transitive. With away, out. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > suffering > regret > [verb (transitive)] > spend in regret fret1611 the mind > emotion > suffering > state of annoyance or vexation > be annoyed or vexed by [verb (transitive)] > spend or waste in vexation fret1611 the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > discontent or dissatisfaction > be discontented about [verb (transitive)] > spend or waste in discontent fret1611 1611 L. Barry Ram-Alley iii. sig. E3^v Now let him hang, Fret out his guts, and sweare the starres from Heauen. a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) v. v. 24 A poore Player, That struts and frets his houre vpon the Stage. View more context for this quotation 1829 I. Taylor Nat. Hist. Enthusiasm ix. 244 Many who..have fretted away an unblessed existence within..the monastery. 1858 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (ed. 2) IV. xviii. 48 She had driven him from his country to fret out his life in banishment. 1879 F. W. Farrar Life & Work St. Paul I. vii. xv. 494 The Vibiuses..who..fretted their little hour on the narrow stage of Philippi. 10. a. intransitive. Of liquor: To undergo secondary fermentation. Obsolete exc. dialect. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > drink > manufacture of alcoholic drink > [verb (intransitive)] > ferment > secondary fermentation fret1664 re-ferment1707 1664 P. Neil in J. Evelyn Pomona in Sylva 36 When it [i.e. the Cider] is bottled it must not be perfectly fine; for if it is so, it will not fret in the bottle. a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 244 All Love at first, like generous Wine, Ferments and frets, until 'tis fine. 1775 E. Barry Observ. Wines Ancients 43 Some of the..more generous kind [of wine]..required great care to prevent them from fretting. 1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. Fret,..3. To ferment. 1897 W. J. Sykes Princ. & Pract. Brewing 481 Often the secondary fermentation becomes unduly excited; the beer is then said to ‘fret’ or ‘kick up’. in extended use.1804 Poet Reg. 470 Beneath these butchers stalls..Where rankling offals fret in many a heap. b. transitive (causatively). Also, to fret in: see quot. 1872. ΘΚΠ the world > food and drink > drink > manufacture of alcoholic drink > [verb (transitive)] > ferment > secondary fermentation re-ferment1707 to fret in1742 1742 W. Ellis London & Country Brewer (ed. 4) I. 66 Without fretting or causing it to burst the Cask for Want of Vent. 1860 O. W. Holmes Professor's Story xxii, in Atlantic Monthly Nov. 625/2 Both were..old enough to have all their beliefs ‘fretted in’, as vintners say,—thoroughly worked up with their characters. 1872 R. V. Tuson Cooley's Cycl. Pract. Receipts (ed. 5) 1185/2 The technical terms ‘sweating in’ and ‘fretting in’ are applied to the partial production of a second fermentation, for the purpose of mellowing down the flavour of foreign ingredients (chiefly brandy), added to wine. 11. intransitive. Of a stream, etc.: To move in agitation or turmoil, to flow or rise in little waves; to chafe. Often used with conscious metaphor and mixture of sense 9. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > flow [verb (intransitive)] > with agitated movement or rush buschc1400 bullera1522 purla1586 frizado1605 trench1616 tottle1717 fret1727 brattle1850 1727 J. Thomson Summer 35 The..Brook..fretting o'er a Rock. 1807 W. Wordsworth Ode in Poems II. 158 I love the Brooks which down their channels fret . View more context for this quotation 1808 W. Scott Marmion ii. Introd. 65 Scarce can the Tweed his passage find, Though much he fret, and chafe, and toil. 1849 C. Brontë Shirley II. x. 241 The mill-stream..fretting with gnarled tree-roots. 1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. I. xiv. 189 A noise like that of short sharp waves in a Highland loch, fretting under a squall against a rocky shore. figurative.1822 W. Hazlitt Table-talk (1869) 2nd Ser. iv. 81 A certain stream of irritability that is continually fretting upon the wheels of life.1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan i. iii. 51 The stream of thought, Fretting against its limits and obstructions. 12. transitive (causatively). To throw (water) into agitation; to cause to rise in waves; to ruffle. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > state of sea > [verb (transitive)] > agitate fret1794 1794 G. Adams Lect. Nat. & Exper. Philos. I. v. 168 The surface of the water is fretted and curdled into the finest waves by the undulations of the air. 1834 T. De Quincey S. T. Coleridge in Tait's Edinb. Mag. Sept. 513/2 Some great river..fretted by rocks or thwarting islands. 1859 E. Bulwer-Lytton What will he do with It? (1st Edinb. ed.) I. i. iv. 36 See..how the slight pebbles are fretting the wave. 1863 N. Hawthorne Our Old Home II. 132 The surface [of the river]..being fretted by the passage of a hundred steamers. 1871 J. Miller Songs Italy (1878) 23 Not one gondola frets the lagoon. 13. dialect. See quot. 1856; cf. sense 4 and fret n.² 2. ΚΠ 1856 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 17 ii. 482 The grassland in this district is peculiarly liable to scour (‘fret’) the young cattle. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online June 2022). fretv.² Brit. /frɛt/, U.S. /frɛt/ Forms: infinitive Middle English–1600s frett(e, (Middle English freett, 1500s freat), Middle English– fret. past tense Middle English fret. past participle Middle English–1600s fret(t(e, (Middle English freit, freyt), Middle English frettet, frettit, frettut, Middle English– fretted. Also past participle Middle English ifreted. Etymology: Perhaps represents several distinct but cognate words. In part this word seems to be < Old French freter (used in past participle frete , = Anglo-Latin frectatus , frictatus , frestatus , in the sense ‘ornamented with interlaced work, embroidered with gold, etc.’, also Heraldry ‘fretty’), < frete : see fret n.¹ In the architectural sense it agrees with fretish v.²; the two forms may be adoptions of the two stems of the Old French verb fraitir , fraitiss-* . There may also have been an independent English formation on fret n.¹The common view, that fret represents Old English frætw(i)an, to adorn, seems inadmissible phonologically; but it is possible that the Old English verb, though not recorded after the 12th cent., may have survived in speech, and have been confused with the Romanic verb. †1. a. transitive. To adorn with interlaced work, esp. in gold or silver embroidery; in wider sense, to adorn richly with gold, silver, or jewels. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > fashion with artistic skill or decoration [verb (transitive)] > cover with ornamental work fret1340 lay?a1366 overfretc1440 to work over1542 parget1576 encrust1641 incrustate1728 1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 9107 Other stanes of gret prys, With fyne gold wyre alle obout frett. 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. ii. 11 Fetislich hir fyngres were fretted with golde wyre. c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness B. 1476 Fyoles fretted with flores & fleez of golde. c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 3926 A swerd..wyth seynture I-fretid all with perelis. 1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. avi^v Frenyeis of fyne silk fretit ful fre. a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) I. lxix. f. xxiiii^v The Emperour..garnysshed the Crosse with many riche stones freit with golde. c1540 Image Ipocrysy i, in J. Skelton Poet. Wks. (1843) II. 419 Curtle, cope and gowne..With golde and perle sett, And stones well iffrett. 1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. 857/1 The quire..sieled with cloth of gold, and thereon fret ingrailed bent clothes of silke. 1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. 815/1 Ladies all in white and red silke, set vpon coursers trapped in the same sute, freated ouer with gold. 1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne ix. lxxxii. 175 In his Turkish pompe he shone, In purple robe ore fret with gold and stone. 1607 S. Hieron Dignitie of Script. in Wks. (1620) I. 74 He could..haue fretted (as it were) the whole volume of the booke with excellencie of words. a1668 W. Davenant Masque in Wks. (1673) 364 His bed-chamber door, and seeling, fretted with stars in Capital Letter. b. transferred. To variegate, chequer, form a pattern upon. ΘΠ the world > matter > colour > variegation > variegate [verb (transitive)] chequer?a1400 fleckc1430 engrail1483 shoot1532 begary1538 intermingle1553 enchase1590 diaper1592 sinew1592 motley1602 intercolour1607 damask1610 particolour1610 inshade1613 freta1616 enamel1650 discolour1656 variegatea1728 jasper1799 intershoot1845 patchwork1853 pattern1898 strand1914 harlequin- a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) ii. i. 103 Yon grey Lines, That fret the Clouds, are Messengers of Day. View more context for this quotation 1839 H. W. Longfellow Hyperion II. iii. i. 4 White clouds sail aloft; and vapors fret the blue sky with silver threads. 2. Architecture. To adorn (esp. a ceiling) with carved or embossed work in decorative patterns. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > ornamental art and craft > pattern or design > pattern [verb (transitive)] > interlaced fretish1601 fret1604 raddle1671 honeycomb1820 1615 R. Boyle Diary (1886) I. 66 I compounded with my plaiserer to ffrett my parlor. a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) ii. iv. 88 The Roofe o'th'Chamber, With golden Cherubins is fretted . View more context for this quotation 1667 S. Pepys Diary 3 May (1974) VIII. 198 The Duke of York's chamber..as it is now fretted at the top..is one of the noblest and best-proportioned rooms. 1853 C. Kingsley Hypatia II. iv. 70 Against the walls stood presses and chests fretted with fantastic Oriental carving. figurative and in extended use.1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet ii. ii. 303 This maiesticall roofe fretted with golden fire. View more context for this quotation1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. vi. 336 Simple ignorance, not fretted & embossed with malice..caused that desolation of Libraries in England.1729 R. Savage Wanderer i. 40 The solar fires now faint and wat'ry burn, Just where with ice Aquarius frets his urn!1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 559 Vaulted by magnificent canopies, fretted with a variety of depending petrifactions.1842 H. Miller Old Red Sandstone (ed. 2) viii. 170 Its shelly armour was delicately fretted with the forms of circular or elliptical scales. 3. Heraldry. To interlace. ΘΚΠ society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > charge: device on shield > place charge on [verb (transitive)] > interlace fret1572 1572 J. Bossewell Wks. Armorie ii. f. 121^v Hee beareth Or, a Lyon rampaunt d'Ermine, debrused with two Barruletes, and fret with the thirde, Sable. 1828–40 W. Berry Encycl. Her. I. Fretting each other, interlacing each other. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † fretv.³ Etymology: < Old French freter (French fretter), < Old French frete (French frette) ring, hoop. Obsolete. rare. transitive. To bind (properly, with a hoop or ring). Also figurative. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > binding or tying > bind or tie [verb (transitive)] > bind writheOE binda1325 fret1401 restrainc1425 band1488 plet1575 strapple?1611 1401 Pol. Poems* (Rolls) II. 41 Foxes frettid in fere wasten the cornes. c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) iv. xxviii. 190 She was bounden with hoopes, and faste fretted [Fr. fretee]. c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) iv. xxix. 191 She is bounden and bounden ayen; fretted [Fr. fretee] with obseruaunces. a1450 Fysshynge wyth Angle (1883) 8 Double the lyne and frete hyt fast yn þe top with a nose to fasten an your lyne. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2021). † fretv.⁴ Etymology: Of difficult etymology. It might satisfactorily be explained as < Old French freiter = modern French dialect fretter, Provençal fretar, Italian frettare* < vulgar Latin frictāre, frequentative of Latin fricāre* to rub; but the Old French form has not been found. Compare the synonymous Old French froter (French frotter), which, in spite of phonological difficulties, some scholars connect with this group. Obsolete: merged in fret v.¹ 3 – 13. 1. a. transitive. To rub, chafe. Also with away. Causatively: To make pass by rubbing; to cause (a keel) to graze. ΘΠ the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > rubbing or friction > rub [verb (transitive)] gnidec1000 frot?c1225 gnoddec1230 rudc1300 ruba1325 wipe1362 freta1400 labour?a1475 wrive1481 scrud1483 chafe1526 friga1529 fricace1579 perfricate1598 affricate1656 fricate1716 frictionize1853 a1400 Minor Poems from Vernon MS xxxii. 978 Penaunce..freteþ a-wei þe fulþe of synne. c1450 Two Cookery-bks. 113 Nym appeles, seth hem, let hem kele, frete hem thorwe an her syue. c1480 (a1400) St. Clement 283 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 381 Þai fretyt þar facis þane [L. faciem confricantes] fore ferly, & þis spek be-gane. 1483 Cath. Angl. 143/1 To Frete; fricare..to rubbe. a1547 Earl of Surrey Poems (1964) 34 Ne by coward dred..On shalow shores thy keel in perill freat. 1653 H. Cogan tr. Diodorus Siculus Hist. 127 The inhabitants..know this tree..by the Elephants rubbing and fretting it. 1705 London Gaz. No. 4179/4 The Hair fretted short about the middle of her Mane. figurative.1581 W. Lambarde Eirenarcha (1588) iv. xix. 602 The one of these Statutes doth not fret the other. b. Of a bird: To preen (feathers). ΘΚΠ the world > animals > birds > actions or bird defined by > [verb (transitive)] > preen fret1423 prune?1533 prink1573 plume1637 wheta1678 preen1692 1423 Kingis Quair xxxv Freschly in thaire birdis kynd arraid Thaire fetheris new, and fret thame In the sonne. 2. intransitive. To rub, produce friction; to fray out. ΘΠ the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > rubbing or friction > rub [verb (intransitive)] rubc1400 streak1607 chafe1608 fret1654 the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > deteriorate in condition [verb (intransitive)] > waste away > wear > by rubbing > fray faselc1440 fret1654 fray1721 1654 T. Fuller Inaug. Serm. 26 That his curtesies might not unravell, or fret out, hath bound them with a strong border. 1660 R. Sharrock Hist. Propagation & Improvem. Veg. 147 Such positions, that one [branch] may not easily fret upon another. 1692 Smith's Sea-mans Gram. (new ed.) i. xvi. 81 To Serve a Rope, is to wind somthing about it, to keep it from fretting out. a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. iv. 233 Taking off the weight of difficulties, so that they may not fret upon the shoulders. †3. (The interpretation of the words in these passages, and their identity with the present verb, are very doubtful.) a. ? To have dealings with (cf. French se frotter avec). Obsolete. ΘΠ the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupy or engage (a person) [verb (transitive)] > have to do with or be involved in or with to have to do with (also mid, of, on)lOE meddle1413 intromit1522 fretc1540 make1564 to have a finger in1583 converse1592 cope with1594 trade1595 play1928 c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12846 Hetis hom..to haue all hor hert wille, Of ffredom..fret with hom so, And all your will shall ye wyn. b. ? To conflict, offend against. ΘΠ society > authority > lack of subjection > be unsubmissive [verb (intransitive)] > conflict or offend against fret1435 R. Misyn tr. R. Rolle Fire of Love 92 Slike frenschyp is pure naturel, & þerfore meyd ne vnmeyd, bot if it oght freyt [L. nisi aliquid moliatur] agayn godis commament, it is worþi. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2021). fretv.⁵ Brit. /frɛt/, U.S. /frɛt/ Etymology: < fret n.³ transitive. To furnish (a guitar, etc.) with frets. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > making or fitting instruments > accessories [verb (transitive)] > furnish with frets fret1603 1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. ii. 359 Call mee what Instrument You will, though you can frett mee, yet you can not Play vpon mee. Derivatives ˈfretted adj. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > stringed instruments > lute- or viol-type parts > [adjective] > fretted fretted1600 1600 S. Rowlands Letting of Humors Blood 5 While you your selues like musicke sounding Lutes fretted and strunge, gaine them their silken sutes. 1647 N. Ward Simple Cobler Aggawam 36 Instruments may be well made and well strung, but if they be not well fretted, the Musique is marred. 1689 London Gaz. No. 2437/4 All sorts of fretted Instruments, especially Lutes and Viols. a1877 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. II. 1031 An instrument having the fretted neck of the former [the guitar]. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † fretv.⁶ Forms: past participle fret(t(e; also yfretted. Etymology: < Old French freter, past participle freté ‘garni’ (Godefroy); perhaps a use of freter fret v.² Compare freight adj. 1b. Obsolete. transitive. To furnish, stock, stud, supply. Chiefly in past participle modified by adverbs full, thick, well. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > provide or supply (a person or thing) with anything > stock (a place, etc.) with something fillOE store1264 pitchc1300 stuffc1386 fretc1400 replete?a1425 enstorea1450 engrange1480 plenish1488 freightc1503 people1581 stocka1640 stack1652 bestore1661 to lay in1662 c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 339 With alle þe fode þat may be founde frette þy cofer. c1400 Rom. Rose 4705 Love, it is an hateful pees..A trouthe [Thynne and MS. And through the], fret full of falshede. c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xxx. 136 All þir greez er..frette full of perle and oþer precious stanes. c1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 3160 A klub..Thik fret with mani a thwang. 1413 Pilgr. Sowle (1483) iv. xxxii. 81 Armes..wel frett with senewes and al ful of veynes. 1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1554) v. vii. 127 a A croune of fresh Laurer Forged of gold, fret full of stones clere. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2021). < n.¹c1385n.²1545n.³a1527n.⁴1587n.⁵1688n.⁶1576adj.1663v.¹OEv.²1340v.³1401v.⁴a1400v.⁵1600v.⁶c1400
随便看	non-compete non-competent non-competitive non-complaisance non-complementary non-complex non-compliance non-compliant non-complying non-compound non-compounder non-comprehension non-con non-conceiving non-conception non-conceptual non-concerning non-concludency non-concrete non-concur non-concurrence non-concurrency non-concurrent non-concurring non-condensable

fretn.1

Compounds

fretn.2

Draft additions 1993

fretn.3

fretn.4

fretn.5

† fretn.6

fretadj.

fretv.1

fretv.2

† fretv.3

† fretv.4

fretv.5

Derivatives

† fretv.6

fretn.¹

fretn.²

fretn.³

fretn.⁴

fretn.⁵

† fretn.⁶

fretv.¹

fretv.²

† fretv.³

† fretv.⁴

fretv.⁵

† fretv.⁶