a border or case for enclosing a picture, mirror, etc.
2.
a rigid structure formed of relatively slender pieces, joined so as to surround sizable empty spaces or nonstructural panels, and generally used as a major support in building or engineering works, machinery, furniture, etc.
3.
a body, esp. a human body, with reference to its size or build; physique: He has a large frame.
4.
a structure for admitting or enclosing something: a window frame.
5.
Usually, frames.(used with a plural verb) the framework for a pair of eyeglasses.
6.
form, constitution, or structure in general; system; order.
7.
a particular state, as of the mind: an unhappy frame of mind.
8.
Movies. one of the successive pictures on a strip of film.
9.
Television. a single traversal by the electron beam of all the scanning lines on a television screen. In the U.S. this is a total of 525 lines traversed in 1/30second. Compare field(def. 19).
10.
Computers. the information or image on a screen or monitor at any one time.
11.
Bowling.
a.
one of the ten divisions of a game.
b.
one of the squares on the scorecard, in which the score for a given frame is recorded.
enclosing lines, usually forming a square or rectangle, to set off printed matter in a newspaper, magazine, or the like; a box.
16.
the structural unit that supports the chassis of an automobile.
17.
Nautical.
a.
any of a number of transverse, riblike members for supporting and stiffening the shell of each side of a hull.
b.
any of a number of longitudinal members running between web frames to support and stiffen the shell plating of a metal hull.
18.
a machine or part of a machine supported by a framework, esp. as used in textile production: drawing frame; spinning frame.
19.
Printing. the workbench of a compositor, consisting of a cabinet, cupboards, bins, and drawers, and having flat and sloping work surfaces on top.
20.
Bookbinding. an ornamental border, similar to a picture frame, stamped on the front cover of some books.
21.
in frame, Shipbuilding. (of a hull) with all frames erected and ready for planking or plating.
–verb (used with object)
22.
to form or make, as by fitting and uniting parts together; construct.
23.
to contrive, devise, or compose, as a plan, law, or poem: to frame a new constitution.
24.
to conceive or imagine, as an idea.
25.
Informal. to incriminate (an innocent person) through the use of false evidence, information, etc.
26.
to provide with or put into a frame, as a picture.
27.
to give utterance to: Astonished, I attempted to frame adequate words of protest.
28.
to form or seem to form (speech) with the lips, as if enunciating carefully.
29.
to fashion or shape: to frame a bust from marble.
30.
to shape or adapt to a particular purpose: to frame a reading list for ninth graders.
31.
Informal. to contrive or prearrange fraudulently or falsely, as in a scheme or contest.
32.
to adjust (film) in a motion-picture projector so as to secure exact correspondence of the outlines of the frame and aperture.
33.
to line up visually in a viewfinder or sight.
34.
Archaic. to direct, as one's steps.
–verb (used without object)
35.
Archaic. to betake oneself; resort.
36.
Archaic. to prepare, attempt, give promise, or manage to do something.
[Origin: bef. 1000; 1910–15 for def. 8;1920–25 for def. 25; (v.) ME framen to prepare (timber), OE framian to avail, profit; c. ON frama to further, OHG (gi)framōn to do; (n.) ME, deriv. of the v.]
O.E. framian "to profit, be helpful, make progress," from fram "vigorous, bold," originally "going forward;" influenced by related O.E. fremman "help forward, promote," and by O.N. fremja "to further, execute" (see from). Sense focused in M.E. from "make ready" to "prepare timber for building" (c.1374). Meaning of "compose, devise" is first attested 1547. The noun meaning "established order, plan" and that of "human body" are both first recorded 1599; originally the noun meant "the rack" (c.1375). Meaning "building" is from c.1425; that of "border or case for a picture or pane of glass" is from 1600. Of bicycles, from 1871; of motor cars, from 1900. The criminal slang sense of "blame an innocent person" (1920s) is probably from earlier sense of "plot in secret" (1900), perhaps ultimately from meaning "fabricate a story with evil intent," first attested 1514. Framework first attested 1644. Frame of reference is 1897, from mechanics; the fig. sense is from 1924.
a single one of a series of still transparent pictures forming a cinema, television or video film
3.
alternative names for the body of a human being; "Leonardo studied the human body"; "he has a strong physique"; "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak"
4.
(baseball) one of nine divisions of play during which each team has a turn at bat [syn: inning]
5.
a single drawing in a comic_strip
6.
an application that divides the user's display into two or more windows that can be scrolled independently
7.
a system of assumptions and standards that sanction behavior and give it meaning [syn: frame of reference]
8.
the hard structure (bones and cartilages) that provides a frame for the body of an animal [syn: skeletal system]
9.
the internal supporting structure that gives an artifact its shape; "the building has a steel skeleton" [syn: skeleton]
10.
a framework that supports and protects a picture or a mirror; "the frame enhances but is not itself the subject of attention"; "the frame was much more valuable than the miror it held"
11.
one of the ten divisions into which bowling is divided
verb
1.
enclose in or as if in a frame; "frame a picture"
2.
enclose in a frame, as of a picture
3.
take or catch as if in a snare or trap; "I was set up!"; "The innocent man was framed by the police" [syn: ensnare]
4.
formulate in a particular style or language; "I wouldn't put it that way"; "She cast her request in very polite language"
5.
make up plans or basic details for; "frame a policy"
Fore"most`\, a. [OE. formest first, AS. formest, fyrmest, superl. of forma first, which is a superl. fr. fore fore; cf. Goth. frumist, fruma, first. See Fore, adv., and cf. First, Former, Frame, v. t., Prime, a.] First in time or place; most advanced; chief in rank or dignity; as, the foremost troops of an army. THat struck the foremost man of all this world. --Shak.
Frame\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Framed; p. pr. & vb. n. Framing.] [OE. framen, fremen, to execute, build, AS. fremman to further, perform, effect, fr. fram strong, valiant; akin to E. foremost, and prob. to AS. fram from, Icel. fremja, frama, to further, framr forward, G. fromm worthy, excellent, pious. See Foremost, From, and cf. Furnish.]1. (Arch. & Engin.) To construct by fitting and uniting the several parts of the skeleton of any structure; specifically, in woodwork, to put together by cutting parts of one member to fit parts of another. See Dovetail, Halve, v. t., Miter, Tenon, Tooth, Tusk, Scarf, and Splice. 2. To originate; to plan; to devise; to contrive; to compose; in a bad sense, to invent or fabricate, as something false. How many excellent reasonings are framed in the mind of a man of wisdom and study in a length of years. --I. Watts. 3. To fit to something else, or for some specific end; to adjust; to regulate; to shape; to conform. And frame my face to all occasions. --Shak. We may in some measure frame our minds for the reception of happiness. --Landor. The human mind is framed to be influenced. --I. Taylor. 4. To cause; to bring about; to produce. [Obs.] Fear frames disorder, and disorder wounds. --Shak. 5. To support. [Obs. & R.] That on a staff his feeble steps did frame. --Spenser. 6. To provide with a frame, as a picture.
Frame\, v. i. 1. To shape; to arrange, as the organs of speech. [Obs.] --Judg. xii. 6. 2. To proceed; to go. [Obs.] The bauty of this sinful dame Made many princes thither frame. --Shak.
Frame\, n. 1. Anything composed of parts fitted and united together; a fabric; a structure; esp., the constructional system, whether of timber or metal, that gives to a building, vessel, etc., its model and strength; the skeleton of a structure. These are thy glorious works, Parent of good, Almighty! thine this universal frame. --Milton. 2. The bodily structure; physical constitution; make or build of a person. Some bloody passion shakes your very frame. --Shak. No frames could be strong enough to endure it. --Prescott. 3. A kind of open case or structure made for admitting, inclosing, or supporting things, as that which incloses or contains a window, door, picture, etc.; that on which anything is held or stretched; as: (a) The skeleton structure which supports the boiler and machinery of a locomotive upon its wheels. (b) (Founding) A molding box or flask, which being filled with sand serves as a mold for castings. (c) The ribs and stretchers of an umbrella or other structure with a fabric covering. (d) A structure of four bars, adjustable in size, on which cloth, etc., is stretched for quilting, embroidery, etc. (e) (Hort.) A glazed portable structure for protecting young plants from frost. (f) (Print.) A stand to support the type cases for use by the compositor. 4. (Mach.) A term applied, especially in England, to certain machines built upon or within framework; as, a stocking frame; lace frame; spinning frame, etc. 5. Form; shape; proportion; scheme; structure; constitution; system; as, a frameof government. She that hath a heart of that fine frame To pay this debt of love but to a brother. --Shak. Put your discourse into some frame. --Shak. 6. Particular state or disposition, as of the mind; humor; temper; mood; as, to be always in a happy frame. 7. Contrivance; the act of devising or scheming. [Obs.] John the bastard Whose spirits toil in frame of villainies. --Shak. Balloon frame, Cant frames, etc. See under Balloon, Cant, etc. Framebuilding or house, a building of which the form and support is made of framed timbers. [U.S.] -- Frame level, a mason's level. Frame saw, a thin saw stretched in a frame to give it rigidity.
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Audio Help [freym] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, framed, fram·ing. 
