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fret

fret

9.4
A decorative border of repeating straight lines
  • noun
  • /frɛt/
translation icon : greca
  • The artist used bold frets to enhance the geometric patterns on the pottery.
  • fret motif

Examples

  • From the frets now extended wings of fairy gauze.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • The intricate frets on the ancient temple showcased the skill of its craftsmen.

  • The light fell across her in frets.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • She admired the frets carved into the wooden cabinet, which added elegance to its design.

Synonyms

fretwork
vsfret
  • Specialized
1 8.7

A decorative pattern cut into thin strips of wood or metal used on furniture and buildings

focuses on the pattern itself rather than the cutting technique or material
key pattern
vsfret
6.7

A repeated decorative border of straight lines that turn in square corners, often on vases and buildings

is the broader repeated straight-line geometric design used on objects
Greek fret
vsfret
8.4

A repeating design of vertical and horizontal lines that people use to decorate buildings and objects

is a general straight-line ornamental motif not tied to a specific tradition
Greek key
vsfret
7.1

A repeating decorative border made from one continuous line that forms square corners

is broader repeated straight-line geometry rather than a right-angled border

Idioms

9.9

To worry too much about things you cannot control

Compounds

A repeating design of vertical and horizontal lines that people use to decorate buildings and objects

How Ornate

embellishment
15 5.8
fret
9.4
pattern
192 2.8

Surface Forms

fret singular
frets plural

Etymology

A fret as a decorative pattern is named from the idea of a 'narrow band', so a fret is the repeated border or geometric band you see on buildings and objects.