Frayed

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /fɹeɪd/

Definitions

1. Worn or torn at the edges, especially referring to fabric, this term can also describe a state of agitation or nervousness in a person's demeanor, or signify something that has become ragged over time
2. The condition of being unraveled or showing signs of wear, commonly associated with textiles, it can also relate to a heightened emotional state or a deterioration in overall quality
3. This term indicates a state of wear and tear evident in cloth or material, it sometimes refers to unease or tension in emotional situations, or to anything that has become jagged in form

Etymology: The verb "fray" is the root here, and its older sense was physical friction rather than wear. It comes from Old French "froiier," meaning to rub against, scrape, or thrust against, which in turn traces back to Latin "fricare," to rub or rub down. So the original picture is of something being worn away by repeated contact, the way a cuff rubs against a table edge until its threads start to loosen. The "-ed" ending is simply the standard way English turns a verb into an adjective describing its result. A frayed collar is one whose threads have already been rubbed loose. From that literal fabric sense, the word gradually extended to anything showing the same signs of strain, which is why we also speak of frayed nerves or a frayed temper, where a person's composure has been worn down by pressure. The same logic applies to a deteriorating situation, such as a relationship or a plan that has come apart at the edges.

Synonyms: worn, tattered, shredded, ragged, damaged

Antonyms: intact, whole, undamaged, new, pristine