Dictionary entries for 'frame'

Synonyms

frame (frām)

[Middle English framen, from Old English framian, to further, from fram, forward; see from.]

verb: framed, fram·ing, frames.

To build by putting together the structural parts of; construct: frame a house.
To conceive or design: framed an alternate proposal.
To arrange or adjust for a purpose: The question was framed to draw only one answer.
1. To put into words; formulate: frame a reply.
2. To form (words) silently with the lips.
To enclose in or as if in a frame: frame a painting.
Informal
1. To make up evidence or contrive events so as to incriminate (a person) falsely.
2. To prearrange (a contest) so as to ensure a desired fraudulent outcome; fix: frame a prizefight.

Something composed of parts fitted and joined together.
A structure that gives shape or support: the frame of a house.
1. An open structure or rim for encasing, holding, or bordering: a window frame; the frame of a mirror.
2. A closed, often rectangular border of drawn or printed lines.
A pair of eyeglasses, excluding the lenses. Often used in the plural: had new lenses fitted into an old pair of frames.
The structure of a human or animal body; physique: a worker's sturdy frame.
A cold frame.
A general structure or system: the frame of government.
A general state or condition: The news put me into a better frame of mind.
A frame of reference.
Sports & Games
1. A round or period of play in some games, such as bowling and billiards.
2. Baseball An inning.
A single picture on a roll of movie film or videotape.
The total area of a complete picture in television broadcasting.
An individual drawing within a comic strip.
Computer Science
1. A rectangular segment within a browser's window that can be scrolled independently of other such segments.
2. A single step in a sequence of programmed instructions.
Informal A frame-up.
Obsolete Shape; form.