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Fray vs Row - What's the difference?

fray | row | Related terms |

Fray is a related term of row.


As nouns the difference between fray and row

is that fray is affray; broil; contest; combat; brawl; melee while row is trench, ditch.

As a verb fray

is to unravel; used particularly for the edge of something made of cloth, or the end of a rope.

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 .

    row

    English

    Etymology 1

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

    Alternative forms

    * (dialectal)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A line of objects, often regularly spaced, such as seats in a theatre, vegetable plants in a garden etc.
  • * Bible, 1 (w) vii. 4
    • And there were windows in three rows .
  • * (John Milton) (1608-1674)
    • The bright seraphim in burning row .
  • * , chapter=5
    • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=Here, in the transept and choir, where the service was being held, one was conscious every moment of an increasing brightness; colours glowing vividly beneath the circular chandeliers, and the rows of small lights on the choristers' desks flashed and sparkled in front of the boys' faces, deep linen collars, and red neckbands.}}
  • A line of entries in a table, etc., going from left to right, as opposed to a column going from top to bottom.
    • Synonyms
    * (line of objects) line, sequence, series, succession, tier (of seats) * (in a table) line
    Antonyms
    * column
    Derived terms
    * long row to hoe

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) . Compare West Frisian roeie, Dutch roeien, Danish ro. More at rudder.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (weightlifting) An exercise performed with a pulling motion of the arms towards the back.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • (transitive, or, intransitive, nautical) To propel (a boat or other craft) over water using oars.
  • To transport in a boat propelled with oars.
    • to row the captain ashore in his barge
  • To be moved by oars.
    • The boat rows easily.

    Etymology 3

    Unclear; some suggest it is a , verb.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A noisy argument.
  • * (Byron)
  • * , chapter=22
    • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=In the autumn there was a row at some cement works about the unskilled labour men. A union had just been started for them and all but a few joined. One of these blacklegs was laid for by a picket and knocked out of time.}}
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
    • , chapter=18 citation , passage=‘Then the father has a great fight with his terrible conscience,’ said Munday with granite seriousness. ‘Should he make a row with the police […]? Or should he say nothing about it and condone brutality for fear of appearing in the newspapers?}}
  • A continual loud noise.
    • Synonyms
    * (noisy argument) argument, disturbance, fight, fracas, quarrel, shouting match, slanging match * (continual loud noise) din, racket

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • to argue noisily
    • Synonyms
    * (argue noisily) argue, fight

    Anagrams

    * English heteronyms English terms with multiple etymologies ----