fret1
v.
(frets, fretting, fretted)
- be constantly or visibly anxious.
- gradually wear away by rubbing or gnawing.
- flow or move in small waves.
n.
chiefly Brit. a state of anxiety.
Etymology
OE fretan ‘devour, consume’, of Gmc origin.
fret2
n.
- Art & Architecture a repeating ornamental design of vertical and horizontal lines.
- Heraldry a device of narrow diagonal bands interlaced through a diamond.
v.
(frets, fretting, fretted)
[
usu. as adj. fretted]
decorate with fretwork.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. frete ‘trelliswork’ and freter (v.), of unknown origin.
fret3
n.
each of a sequence of ridges on the fingerboard of some stringed instruments such as the guitar, used for fixing the positions of the fingers to produce the desired notes.
v.
(frets, fretting, fretted)
[
often as adj. fretted]
- provide with frets.
- play (a note) while pressing against a fret.
Derivative
Etymology
C16: of unknown origin.