Wiktionary:Word of the day/2022/July 2

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fray v

(transitive) To rub or wear away (something); to cause (something made of strands twisted or woven together, such as cloth or rope) to unravel through friction; also, to irritate (something) through chafing or rubbing; to chafe. (specifically) Of a deer: to rub (its antlers or head) against a tree, etc., to remove the velvet from antlers or to mark territory; also, to rub its antlers against (a tree, etc.) for that purpose. To force or make (a path, way, etc.) through. (obsolete) To bruise (someone or something); also, to take the virginity of (someone, usually a female person); to deflower. (intransitive) To become unravelled or worn; to unravel. To rub. (specifically) Of a deer: to rub its antlers against a tree, etc., to remove the velvet or to mark territory. (figuratively) Of a person's mental strength, nerves, temper, etc.: to become exhausted or worn out. fray n (archaic or obsolete) A consequence of rubbing, unravelling, or wearing away; a fraying; also, a place where fraying has occurred.

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