fray (frā), n. [Abbreviated from affray.] An angry quarrel; an affray; contest; combat; broil.
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Who began this bloody fray? Shak.
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Fray, v. t. [Cf. OF. fraier. See Defray, v. t.] To bear the expense of; to defray. [Obs.]
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The charge of my most curious and costly ingredients frayed, I shall acknowledge myself amply satisfied. Massinger.
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Fray, v. i. 1. To rub.
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We can show the marks he made
When 'gainst the oak his antlers frayed. Sir W. Scott.
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2. To wear out or into shreads, or to suffer injury by rubbing, as when the threads of the warp or of the woof wear off so that the cross threads are loose; to ravel; as, the cloth frays badly.
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A suit of frayed magnificience. tennyson.
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