[freɪ], (Verb)

Definitions:
- (of a fabric, rope, or cord) unravel or become worn at the edge, typically through constant rubbing
(e.g: cheap fabric soon frays)

- (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
(e.g: bucks mark their territory by fraying small trees)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French freiier, from Latin fricare ‘to rub’

[freɪ], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a situation of intense competitive activity
(e.g: ten companies intend to bid for the contract, with three more expected to enter the fray)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English: from archaic fray ‘to quarrel’, from affray ‘startle’, from Anglo-Norman French afrayer (see affray)