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Gray vs Fray - What's the difference?

gray | fray |

As verbs the difference between gray and fray

is that gray is to become gray 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 gray and fray

is that gray is an achromatic colour intermediate between black and white while fray is affray; broil; contest; combat; brawl; melee.

As an adjective gray

is having a color somewhere between white and black, as the ash of an ember.

As a proper noun Gray

is {{surname|from=nicknames}}; originally a nickname for someone with a gray beard or hair.

gray

English

Alternative forms

* grey (used in the UK and the Commonwealth and also in the US)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) ).

Adjective

(er) (spelled "grey" in the UK and the Commonwealth)
  • (label) Having a color somewhere between white and black, as the ash of an ember.
  • * Isaac Newton
  • (label) Dreary, gloomy.
  • *
  • (label) Having an indistinct, disputed or uncertain quality.
  • (label) Relating to older people.
  • * Ames
  • Usage notes
    A mnemonic for remembering which spelling is used where: gre'''y'' is the '''E'''nglish spelling, while ''gr'''a'''y'' is the '''A merican spelling. However, ''grey is also found in American English.
    Derived terms
    {{der3, battleship gray , gray area , graybeard , gray-haired , grayhound , grayness , gray ghost , gray matter}}

    Verb

    (en-verb) (spelled "grey" in the UK and the Commonwealth)
  • (label) To become gray.
  • (label) To cause to become gray.
  • To turn progressively older, in the context of the population of a geographic region.
  • Noun

  • (en noun) (spelled "grey" in the UK and the Commonwealth)
  • (label) An achromatic colour intermediate between black and white.
  • an extraterrestrial creature with grayish skin, bulbous black eyes, and an enlarged head.
  • A penny with a tail on both sides, used for cheating.Sidney J. Baker, The Australian Language , second edition, 1966, chapter XI section 3, page 243
  • See also

    *

    References

    Etymology 2

    Named after (Louis Harold Gray).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • In the International System of Units, the derived unit of absorbed dose of radiation (radiation absorbed by a patient); one joule of energy absorbed per kilogram of the patient's mass. Symbol: Gy
  • Derived terms
    * kilogray
    See also
    *

    Anagrams

    * * English eponyms ----

    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 .