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.

Fray vs Debate - What's the difference?

fray | debate |

As nouns the difference between fray and debate

is that fray is affray; broil; contest; combat; brawl; melee while debate is (obsolete) strife, discord.

As verbs the difference between fray and debate

is that fray is to unravel; used particularly for the edge of something made of cloth, or the end of a rope while debate is (ambitransitive) to participate in a debate; to dispute, argue, especially in a public arena.

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 .

    debate

    English

    Noun

  • (obsolete) Strife, discord.
  • An argument, or discussion, usually in an ordered or formal setting, often with more than two people, generally ending with a vote or other decision.
  • An informal and spirited but generally civil discussion of opposing views.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-26, author=(Leo Hickman)
  • , volume=189, issue=7, page=26, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= How algorithms rule the world , passage=The use of algorithms in policing is one example of their increasing influence on our lives. And, as their ubiquity spreads, so too does the debate around whether we should allow ourselves to become so reliant on them – and who, if anyone, is policing their use.}}
  • (uncountable) Discussion of opposing views.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=September-October, author= Katie L. Burke
  • , magazine=(American Scientist), title= In the News , passage=Oxygen levels on Earth skyrocketed 2.4 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis:
  • (Frequently in French form débat) A type of literary composition, taking the form of a discussion or disputation, commonly found in the vernacular medieval poetry of many European countries, as well as in .
  • Verb

    (debat)
  • (ambitransitive) To participate in a debate; to dispute, argue, especially in a public arena.
  • * Shakespeare
  • a wise council that did debate this business
  • * Bible, Proverbs xxv. 9
  • Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself.
  • * Tatler
  • He presents that great soul debating upon the subject of life and death with his intimate friends.
  • (obsolete) To fight.
  • * 1590 , Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene , II.viii:
  • Well knew they both his person, sith of late / With him in bloudie armes they rashly did debate .
  • (obsolete) To engage in combat for; to strive for.
  • * Prescott
  • Volunteers thronged to serve under his banner, and the cause of religion was debated with the same ardour in Spain as on the plains of Palestine.
  • (lb) To consider (to oneself), to think over, to attempt to decide
  • Derived terms

    * debater

    Anagrams

    * ----