Fringe Definition
frĭnj
fringed, fringes, fringing
noun
fringes
A border or trimming of cords or threads, hanging loose or tied in bunches.
Webster's New World
Anything like this.
A fringe of hair.
Webster's New World
An outer edge; border; margin.
At the fringes of the slums.
Webster's New World
A part considered to be peripheral, extreme, or minor in relation to the main part.
The radical fringe of a political party.
Webster's New World
Those members of a group or political party holding extreme views.
The lunatic fringe.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
verb
fringed, fringes, fringing
To decorate with or as with fringe.
Webster's New World
To be a fringe for; line.
Trees fringed the lawn.
Webster's New World
adjective
At the outer edge or border.
A fringe area of television reception.
Webster's New World
Additional.
Fringe costs.
Webster's New World
Less important; minor.
Fringe industries.
Webster's New World
Outside the mainstream.
Wiktionary
Origin of Fringe
-
From Middle English, from Old French frenge, from Vulgar Latin *frimbia, metathesis of Latin fimbriae (“fibers", "threads", "fringe”) (plural). (Cognates include German Franse and Danish frynse.)
From Wiktionary
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Middle English frenge from Old French from Vulgar Latin frimbia alteration of Late Latin fimbria fimbria
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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