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Fray vs Grind - What's the difference?

fray | grind |

As nouns the difference between fray and grind

is that fray is affray; broil; contest; combat; brawl; melee while grind is the act of reducing to powder, or of sharpening, by friction.

As verbs the difference between fray and grind

is that fray is to unravel; used particularly for the edge of something made of cloth, or the end of a rope while grind is to reduce to smaller pieces by crushing with lateral motion.

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 .

    grind

    English

    (wikipedia grind)

    Verb

    (see usage notes below )
  • To reduce to smaller pieces by crushing with lateral motion.
  • To shape with the force of friction.
    • grind a lens
    grind an axe
  • (metalworking) To remove material by rubbing with an abrasive surface.
  • To become ground, pulverized, or polished by friction.
    • This corn grinds well.
    Steel grinds to a sharp edge.
  • To move with much difficulty or friction; to grate.
  • (sports) To slide the flat portion of a skateboard or snowboard across an obstacle such as a railing.
  • To oppress, hold down or weaken.
  • (slang) To rotate the hips erotically.
  • (slang) To dance in a sexually suggestive way with both partners in very close proximity, often pressed against each other.
  • (video games) To repeat a task in order to gain levels or items.
  • To produce mechanically and repetitively as if by turning a crank.
  • To instill through repetitive teaching.
    • Grinding lessons into students' heads does not motivate them to learn.
  • (slang, Hawaii) To eat.
    • Eh, brah, let's go grind .
  • (slang) To work or study hard; to hustle or drudge.
    • (Farrar)

    Usage notes

    * In the sports and video game senses, the past participle and past tense form grinded is often used instead of the irregular form ground. * Historically, there also existed a past participle form grounden, but it is now archaic or obsolete. * When used to denote sexually suggestive dancing between two partners, the past participle and past tense form grinded is almost always used.

    Derived terms

    * bump and grind * have an axe to grind

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The act of reducing to powder, or of sharpening, by friction.
  • A specific degree of pulverization of coffee beans.
    • This bag contains espresso grind .
  • A tedious task.
    • This homework is a grind .
  • A grinding trick on a skateboard or snowboard.
  • (archaic, slang) One who studies hard; a swot.
  • (subgenre of heavy metal)