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fret¹

(frĕt)

v. fret·ted, fret·ting, frets

v.intr.

1. To be vexed or troubled; worry. See Synonyms at brood.

2. To be worn or eaten away; become corroded.

3. To move agitatedly.

4. To gnaw with the teeth in the manner of a rodent.

v.tr.

1. To cause to be uneasy; vex: "fret thy soul with crosses and with cares" (Edmund Spenser).

a. To gnaw or wear away; erode.

b. To produce a hole or worn spot in; corrode.

3. To form (a passage or channel) by erosion.

4. To disturb the surface of (water or a stream); agitate.

1. The act or an instance of fretting.

2. A hole or worn spot made by abrasion or erosion.

3. Irritation of mind; agitation.

[Middle English freten, from Old English fretan, to devour; see ed- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

fret²

(frĕt)

One of several ridges set across the fingerboard of certain stringed instruments, such as guitars.

tr.v. fret·ted, fret·ting, frets

1. To provide with frets.

2. To press (the strings of an instrument) against the frets.

[Origin unknown.]

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fret2

on the neck of an

electric guitar

fret³

(frĕt)

1. An ornamental design consisting of repeated and symmetrical geometric figures, often in relief, contained within a band or border. Also called key pattern.

2. A headdress, worn by women of the Middle Ages, consisting of interlaced wire.

tr.v. fret·ted, fret·ting, frets

To provide with such a design or headdress.

[Middle English, interlaced work, from Old French frete.]

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fret3

fret designs

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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