1. agitation resulting from active worry;

"don't get in a stew"

"he's in a sweat about exams"

2. a spot that has been worn away by abrasion or erosion

3. an ornamental pattern consisting of repeated vertical and horizonal lines (often in relief);

"there was a simple fret at the top of the walls"

4. a small bar of metal across the fingerboard of a musical instrument; when the string is stopped by a finger at the metal bar it will produce a note of the desired pitch

1. worry unnecessarily or excessively;

"don't fuss too much over the grandchildren--they are quite big now"

2. be agitated or irritated;

"don't fret over these small details"

3. provide (a musical instrument) with frets;

"fret a guitar"

4. become or make sore by or as if by rubbing

5. cause annoyance in

6. gnaw into; make resentful or angry;

"The unjustice rankled her"

"his resentment festered"

7. carve a pattern into

8. decorate with an interlaced design

9. be too tight; rub or press;

"This neckband is choking the cat"

10. cause friction;

"my sweater scratches"

11. remove soil or rock;

"Rain eroded the terraces"

12. wear away or erode