1. (of a fabric, rope, or cord) unravel or become worn at the edge, typically through constant rubbing: "cheap fabric soon frays"Similarunravelwearwear thinwear outwear awaywear throughbecome wornbecome threadbarebecome tatteredbecome raggedgo into holesgo through
▪ (of a person's nerves or temper) show the effects of strain.Similarstraintaxovertaxirritateput on edgemake edgymake tense
▪ (of a male deer) rub (a bush or small tree) with the head in order to remove the velvet from newly formed antlers, or to mark territory during the rut.
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French freiier, from Latin fricare ‘to rub’.