Fuss vs Fray - What's the difference?
fuss | fray |
Excessive activity, worry, bother, or talk about something.
* (Thomas Carlyle) (1795-1881)
*{{quote-book, year=1935, author=
, title=Death on the Centre Court, chapter=1
, passage=“Anthea hasn't a notion in her head but to vamp a lot of silly mugwumps. She's set her heart on that tennis bloke
# A complaint or noise.
# An exhibition of affection or admiration.
One who is unduly anxious about trifles.
* (1837-1920)
To be very worried or excited about something, often too much.
To fiddle; fidget; wiggle, or adjust; to worry something
(especially of babies) To cry or be ill-humoured.
To show affection for, especially animals.
To pet.
Affray; broil; contest; combat; brawl; melee.
* Shakespeare
* {{quote-news
, year=2010
, date=December 29
, author=Mark Vesty
, title=Wigan 2 - 2 Arsenal
, work=BBC
(archaic) fright
To unravel; used particularly for the edge of something made of cloth, or the end of a rope.
(figuratively) To cause exhaustion, wear out (a person's mental strength).
(archaic) frighten; alarm
* 1662 , , Book II, A Collection of Several Philosophical Writings of Dr. Henry More, p. 63:
* Spenser
To bear the expense of; to defray.
* Massinger
To rub.
* Sir Walter Scott
As an adjective fuss
is willing.As a noun fray is
affray; broil; contest; combat; brawl; melee.As a verb fray is
to unravel; used particularly for the edge of something made of cloth, or the end of a rope.fuss
English
Noun
(es)- zealously, assiduously, and with a minimum of fuss or noise
George Goodchild
- I am a fuss and I don't deny it.
Verb
(es)- His grandmother will never quit fussing over his vegetarianism.
- Quit fussing with your hair. It looks fine.
Usage notes
* Generally used with with, over, or about.Verb
(head)- He fussed the cat.
Derived terms
* fussy * fuss and bother * no muss no fussReferences
fray
English
Etymology 1
From (etyl) frai, aphetic variant of affray.Noun
(en noun)- Though they did not know the reason for the dispute, they did not hesitate to leap into the fray .
- Who began this bloody fray ?
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. }}
Etymology 2
From (etyl) fraien, from (etyl) frayer, from (etyl) .Verb
(en verb)- The ribbon frayed at the cut end.
- The stressful day ended in frayed nerves. (Metaphorical use; nerves are visualised as strings)
- "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."
- What frays ye, that were wont to comfort me affrayed?
- The charge of my most curious and costly ingredients frayed , I shall acknowledge myself amply satisfied.
- We can show the marks he made / When 'gainst the oak his antlers frayed .