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.

Battle vs Fray - What's the difference?

battle | fray | Related terms |

In intransitive terms the difference between battle and fray

is that battle is to join in battle; to contend in fight; as, to battle over theories while fray is to rub.

In transitive terms the difference between battle and fray

is that battle is to assail in battle; to fight or struggle while fray is to bear the expense of; to defray.

As verbs the difference between battle and fray

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

As nouns the difference between battle and fray

is that battle is a general action, fight, or encounter, in which all the divisions of an army are or may be engaged; an engagement; a combat while fray is affray; broil; contest; combat; brawl; melee.

As an adjective battle

is improving; nutritious; fattening.

As a proper noun Battle

is {{surname|habitational|from=Middle English}} from places in England that have been sites of a battle.

battle

English

Etymology 1

From Early Modern English .

Alternative forms

*

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Improving; nutritious; fattening.
    • battle''' grass'', '''''battle pasture
  • Fertile; fruitful.
    • battle''' soil'', '''''battle land
    Derived terms
    *

    Verb

    (battl)
  • To nourish; feed.
  • To render fertile or fruitful, as in soil.
    • Derived terms
    * (l) *
    Related terms
    * *

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) (m), from (etyl) (m), from ). Displaced native (etyl) .

    Alternative forms

    * batail

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A general action, fight, or encounter, in which all the divisions of an army are or may be engaged; an engagement; a combat.
  • A struggle; a contest.
  • :
  • *(rfdate) (Henry Morley) (1822-1894):
  • *:The whole intellectual battle that had at its centre the best poem of the best poet of that day.
  • *
  • *:In truth, Tottenham never really looked like taking all three points and this defeat means they face a battle to reach the knockout stages—with their next home game against PAOK Salonika on 30 November likely to prove decisive.
  • *2012', Clive James 'near the end' in cancer ' battle , ITV News, 21 June 2012:
  • *:Australian broadcaster Clive James has admitted that he is losing his long-fought battle with leukaemia.
  • A division of an army; a battalion.
  • *:
  • *:THenne kyng Arthur made redy his hoost in x batails' and Nero was redy in the felde afore the castel Tarabil with a grete hoost / & he had x ' batails with many mo peple than Arthur had
  • *(rfdate) (Francis Bacon) (1561-1626):
  • *:The king divided his army into three battles .
  • *(rfdate) (1721-1793):
  • *:The cavalry, by way of distinction, was called the battle , and on it alone depended the fate of every action.
  • *2000 , (George RR Martin), A Storm of Swords , Bantam 2011, page 634:
  • *:‘I will have more than twelve thousand men. I mean to divide them into three battles and start up the causeway a half-day apart.’
  • (label) The main body, as distinct from the vanguard and rear; battalia.
  • :(Hayward)
    • Synonyms
    * conflict * encounter * contest * action
    Derived terms
    * battlearray * battlefield * battleground / battle ground * battle of the sexes * battle piece * battle royal * battle song * do battle * drawn battle * fight a losing battle * give battle * join battle * pitched battle * wager of battle

    Verb

    (battl)
  • To join in battle; to contend in fight; as, to battle over theories.
    • She has been battling against cancer for years .
  • To assail in battle; to fight or struggle.
    • She has been battling cancer for years .

    References

    *

    Statistics

    *

    Anagrams

    * *

    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 .