All 3 Uses of
frayed
in
Paradise Lost
- To whom these most adhere
He rules a moment: Chaos umpire sits,
And by decision more embroils the fray
By which he reigns: next him, high arbiter,
Chance governs all.†Book 2 *the fray = the fight or struggle
- nor wanted in his grasp
What seemed both spear and shield: Now dreadful deeds
Might have ensued, nor only Paradise
In this commotion, but the starry cope
Of Heaven perhaps, or all the elements
At least had gone to wrack, disturbed and torn
With violence of this conflict, had not soon
The Eternal, to prevent such horrid fray,
Hung forth in Heaven his golden scales, yet seen
Betwixt Astrea and the Scorpion sign,
Wherein all things created first he weighed,
The pendulous round earth with balanced air
In counterpoise, now ponders all events,
Battles and realms: In these he put two weights,
The sequel each of parting and of fight:
The latter quick up flew, and kicke†Book 4
- scarce with life the shepherds fly,
But call in aid, which makes a bloody fray;†Book 11
Definitions:
-
(1)
(frayed as in: frayed cloth) showing wear with threads beginning to separate or hang loose
-
(2)
(frayed as in: frayed nerves) emotionally strained (worn thin)
-
(3)
(fray as in: into the fray) a noisy fight, controversial debate, or other exciting situation that usually is not well organized