[f. FRET v.1 + -ED1.]
1. Eaten or worn into holes, chafed.
1545. Ascham, Toxoph. (Arb.), 121. Remedie for fretes to any purpose I neuer hard tell of any, but onelye to make the freated place as stronge or stronger then any other.
1649. G. Daniel, Trinarch., Hen. IV., ccclxxxii.
| His Raigne was All one thin | |
| Much-fretted veile of Loyaltie, whose Rent | |
| Made by himselfe, Caught others as he went. |
1821. Joanna Baillie, Met. Leg., Lady Griseld Baillie, xxxi.
| Through fretted hose and garment rent, | |
| Her tiny needle deftly went. |
2. Worried, vexed, chafed, distressed.
1756. C. Lucas, Ess. Waters, I. Preface, p. xix. The anger with the fears of these fretted philosophers will by and by subside; when they must see, if not wilfully blind, that I went to Bath in quest of physical truths, not private gain.
1797–1803. Foster, in Life & Corr. (1846), I. 203. Her feelings are rather fretted than melancholy.
1864. E. A. Murray, E. Norman, I. 7. Mrs. Townshend’s … countenance … bore that fretted expression which [etc.].
1876. Blackie, Songs Relig. & Life, 136, ‘Walter Myln.’
| Like ruffled plumes upon a fretted bird, | |
| Behind St. Andrews old grey towers I stood. |
3. Of water: Raised in small waves, ruffled.
1855. H. Reed, Lect. Eng. Hist., iii. 416. The sentiment of filial piety, which ought to flow in a placid current, is changed into a broken and fretted tide.
