In the manner or direction of a fret; arranged in a fret-like pattern (rare technical or specialized term).
Compound of 'fret' + '-wise' (suffix meaning direction or manner), from Old English 'wisan' meaning to turn or direct; '-wise' still appears in words like 'clockwise' and 'likewise'.
The '-wise' suffix is underrated—it gave us 'likewise,' 'clockwise,' and 'otherwise,' but it's old enough that we often forget it literally means 'in the way or direction of' something.
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