n. 1. A decorative border or edging of hanging threads, cords, or strips, often attached to a separate band. 2. Something that resembles such a border or edging. 3. A marginal, peripheral, or secondary part: "They like to hang out on the geographical fringes, the seedy outposts" (James Atlas). 4. Those members of a group or political party holding extreme views: the lunatic fringe. 5. Any of the light or dark bands produced by the diffraction or interference of light. 6. A fringe benefit. tr.v. fringed, fring·ing, fring·es 1. To decorate with or as if with a fringe: The weaver fringed the edge of the scarf. 2. To serve as a fringe to: Ferns fringed the pool. [Middle English frenge, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *frimbia, alteration of Late Latin fimbria; see FIMBRIA.] fringy adj. |
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