The process of something becoming torn, unraveled, or worn at the edges; also the present participle of 'fray.'
From Middle French 'frayer' meaning to rub or wear away, from Latin 'fricare' meaning to rub. The '-ing' suffix marks this as either a gerund (noun) or present participle.
In textiles and fashion, 'fraying' is so common that manufacturers often use serged or bound seams specifically to prevent it—but ironically, distressed and frayed fabrics became a trendy style statement, making a manufacturing problem into an aesthetic choice.
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