fret

verb (1)

\ ˈfret

fretted; fretting

Definition of fret

(Entry 1 of 6)

1a : to eat or gnaw into : corrode also : fray The acid fretted the metal.

b : rub, chafe The harness strap was fretting the horse.

c : to make by wearing away a substance the stream fretted a channel

2 : to cause to suffer emotional strain : vex don't you fret yourself about me— J. C. Powys

3 : to pass (time) in fretting a poor player who struts and frets his hour upon the stage— William Shakespeare

4 : agitate, ripple fret the surface of the lake

1a : to eat into something

b : to affect something as if by gnawing or biting : grate the … urgent voice fretted at his nerves— Graham Greene

2a : wear, corrode Marble frets away due to the rain.

b : chafe His back where the harness rubbed began to fret.

c : fray sense 1

3a : to become vexed or worried fretting over the high cost of feeding their families— Vance Packard

b of running water : to become agitated a brook fretting over rocks