fret

(noun) agitation resulting from active worry. Synonyms: stew, sweat, lather, swither. Examples: "Don't get in a stew." "He's in a sweat about exams."

(noun) a spot that has been worn away by abrasion or erosion. Synonyms: worn spot.

(noun) an ornamental pattern consisting of repeated vertical and horizontal lines (often in relief). Synonyms: Greek fret, Greek key, key pattern. Examples: "There was a simple fret at the top of the walls."

(noun) 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.

(verb) worry unnecessarily or excessively. Synonyms: fuss, niggle. Examples: "Don't fuss too much over the grandchildren--they are quite big now."

(verb) be agitated or irritated. Examples: "Don't fret over these small details."

(verb) provide (a musical instrument) with frets. Examples: "Fret a guitar."

(verb) become or make sore by or as if by rubbing. Synonyms: chafe, gall.

(verb) cause annoyance in.

(verb) gnaw into; make resentful or angry. Synonyms: eat into, rankle, grate. Examples: "The injustice rankled her." "His resentment festered."

(verb) carve a pattern into.

(verb) decorate with an interlaced design.

(verb) be too tight; rub or press. Synonyms: choke, gag. Examples: "This neckband is choking the cat."

(verb) cause friction. Synonyms: rub, fray, chafe, scratch. Examples: "My sweater scratches."

(verb) remove soil or rock. Synonyms: erode, eat away. Examples: "Rain eroded the terraces."

(verb) wear away or erode. Synonyms: eat away.