fringe English · revision 15295

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1327}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /fɹɪnd͡ʒ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|frenge]], [[bor|fro|frenge|t=thread, fringe, border]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[la-vul|*frimbia]], a metathesis of [[la-lat|fimbria]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[la|fimbriae|t=fibres, threads, fringe]], of uncertain origin.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ An ornamental border of hanging threads: 1354 (frenge) in Barnhart, the early 14th century in Etymonline;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) the OED's earliest quotation, for the manufactured trimming, is from 1327.^(OED 1989) The verb is implied earlier in ''frenged'' (1275).^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The spelling fringe developed in modern English, like [[hinge]] and [[singe]].^(Barnhart 1988) A border or edging in general is from the 1640s,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and hair cut short over the forehead from 1876.^(OED 1989) In optics, bands of light and dark are called fringes from 1704.^(OED 1989) The figurative sense, the outer edge or margin, as of society, is from 1894;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) as an adjective, unconventional or peripheral, it is by 1809,^(Etymonline) and fringe benefits are from 1952.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1275 – frenged.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1327 – a fringe trimming.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1704 – optical fringes.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1876 – a fringe of hair.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1894 – the fringe of society.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1952 – fringe benefits.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A decorative edging of hanging threads, cords or tassels.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(chiefly British)'' Hair cut short and hanging over the forehead; a [[bang]].^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+ # An outer edge or [[periphery]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Members of a group holding extreme or unconventional views.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Unofficial or unconventional: ''fringe theatre''.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To decorate with a fringe, or to border.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[fringy]]

+ * [[fringeless]]

+ * [[fringelike]]

+ * [[fringehead]]

+ * [[underfringe]]

+ * [[fringe benefit]]

+ * [[fringe-toed lizard]]

+ * [[fringe tree]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[fimbria]]

+ * [[hem]]

+ * [[border]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}