What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Bout vs Fray - What's the difference?

bout | fray | Related terms |

Bout is a related term of fray.


As nouns the difference between bout and fray

is that bout is a period of something, usually painful or unpleasant while fray is affray; broil; contest; combat; brawl; melee.

As verbs the difference between bout and fray

is that bout is to contest a bout while fray is to unravel; used particularly for the edge of something made of cloth, or the end of a rope.

As a preposition bout

is (colloquial) about.

bout

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) bught, probably from an unrecorded (etyl) variant of . http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bout?s=t See bight, bought.

Noun

(en noun)
  • A period of something, usually painful or unpleasant
    • a bout of drought .
  • (boxing) A boxing match.
  • (fencing) An assault (a fencing encounter) at which the score is kept.
  • (roller derby) A roller derby match.
  • A fighting competition.
  • * 1883 , (Howard Pyle), (The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood)
    • Then they had bouts of wrestling and of cudgel play, so that every day they gained in skill and strength.
  • (music) A bulge or widening in a musical instrument, such as either of the two characteristic bulges of a guitar.
  • (dated) The going and returning of a plough, or other implement used to mark the ground and create a headland, across a field.
  • * 1809 , A Letter to Sir John Sinclair [...] containing a Statement of the System under which a considerable Farm is profitably managed in Hertfordshire. Given at the request of the Board. By Thomas Greg, Esq.'', published in ''The Farmer's Magazine , page 395:
    • The outside bout' of each land is ploughed two inches deeper, and from thence the water runs into cross furrows, which are dug with a spade [...] I have an instrument of great power, called a scarifier, for this purpose. It is drawn by four horses, and completely prepares the land for the seed at each ' bout .
  • * 1922 , An Ingenious One-Way Agrimotor'', published in ''The Commercial Motor , volume 34, published by Temple Press, page 32:
    • It is in this manner that the ploughs are reversed at the termination of each bout of the field.
  • * 1976 , Claude Culpin, Farm Machinery , page 60:
    • The last two rounds must be ploughed shallower, and on the last bout the strip left should be one furrow width for a two-furrow plough, two for a three-furrow, and so on. [...]

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To contest a bout.

    • Etymology 2

    Written form of a of "about".

    Preposition

    (English prepositions)
  • (colloquial) about
    • they're talking bout you!
    Maddy is bout to get beat up!

    References

    English contractions ----

    fray

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) frai, aphetic variant of affray.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Affray; broil; contest; combat; brawl; melee.
    • Though they did not know the reason for the dispute, they did not hesitate to leap into the fray .
  • * Shakespeare
    • Who began this bloody fray ?
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2010 , date=December 29 , author=Mark Vesty , title=Wigan 2 - 2 Arsenal , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=Wigan, unbeaten in five games at the DW Stadium, looked well in control but the catalyst for Arsenal's improvement finally came when Diaby left the field with a calf injury and Jack Wilshere came into the fray , bringing some much needed determination and urgency to lacklustre Arsenal. }}
  • (archaic) fright

    • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) fraien, from (etyl) frayer, from (etyl) .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To unravel; used particularly for the edge of something made of cloth, or the end of a rope.
    • The ribbon frayed at the cut end.
  • (figuratively) To cause exhaustion, wear out (a person's mental strength).
    • The stressful day ended in frayed nerves. (Metaphorical use; nerves are visualised as strings)
  • (archaic) frighten; alarm
  • * 1662 , , Book II, A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More, p. 63:
    • "Besides, all the wit and Philosophy in the world can never demonstrate, that the killing and slaughtering of a Beast is anymore then the striking of a Bush where a Bird's Nest is, where you fray away the Bird, and then seize upon the empty Nest."
  • * Spenser
    • What frays ye, that were wont to comfort me affrayed?
  • To bear the expense of; to defray.
  • * Massinger
    • The charge of my most curious and costly ingredients frayed , I shall acknowledge myself amply satisfied.
  • To rub.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
    • We can show the marks he made / When 'gainst the oak his antlers frayed .