fringe

Definition

A decorative border.

Etymology

From Middle English frenge, from Old French frenge, from Vulgar Latin *frimbia, a metathesis of Latin fimbriae (“fibers, threads, fringe”, plural), of uncertain origin. Compare German Franse and Danish frynse. Displaced native Middle English fnæd (“fringe”), Middle English byrd (“fringe”), Middle English fasel (“fringe”) from Old English fæs (“fringe”), and Old English fnæs (“fringe”). Doublet of fimbria.

Example Sentences

• "the fringe of a picture"
• "The walls were hung with blue silk, edged with silver fringe; and the closely-drawn blue velvet curtains swept the ground."
• "He walked up the heath’s western edge, beside a fringe of scrub where hogweed grew in tangles and brambles rose taller than him."