Webster's English Dictionary

Enter the word to look up:

frame

1. frame \'fra-m\ vb [ME framen to benefit, construct, fr. OE framian to 
   benefit, make p]rogress; akin to ON fram forward, OE from from archaic  1: 
   PROCEED, GO  obs  2: MANAGE  1a: PLAN, CONTRIVE  1b: to give expression to 
   : FORMULATE  1c: SHAPE, CONSTRUCT  1d: to draw up (as a document)  2: to 
   fit or adjust for a purpose : ARRANGE  obs  3: PRODUCE  4: to construct by 
   fitting and uniting the parts of the skeleton of (a str ucture) 5: to 
   enclose in a frame  6a: to devise falsely (as a criminal charge)  6b: to 
   contrive the evidence against (an innocent man) so that a verdict o f 
   guilty is secured 6c: to prearrange (as a contest) so that a particular 
   outcome is assured  - fram.er n
2. frame n 1: something composed of parts fitted together and united; esp : 
   th e bodily structure 2a: the constructional system that gives shape or 
   strength  2b: such a skeleton not filled in or covered  3a: an open case or 
   structure made for admitting, enclosing, or supporting  something {a window 
   ~} 3b: a machine built upon or within a framework {a spinning ~}  3c: a 
   structural unit in an automobile chassis supported on the axles and s 
   upporting the rest of the chassis and the body obs  4: the act or manner of 
   framing  5: a particular state or disposition (as of the mind) : MOOD  6a: 
   an enclosing border  6b: the matter or area enclosed in such a border : as  
   6b1: one of the squares in which scores for each round are recorded (as in  
   bowling); also : a round in bowling 6b2: boxed matter in a newspaper; esp : 
   a box of a comic strip  6b3: one picture of the series on a length of 
   motion-picture or other film  6b4: a complete image being transmitted by 
   television  6c: a limiting, typical, or esp. appropriate set of 
   circumstances  6d: an event that forms the background for the action of a 
   novel or play 
3. frame aj : having a wood frame {~ houses}