Word: frame Part of Speech: verb Etymology: From Middle English framen, fremen, fremmen (“to construct, build, strengthen, refresh, perform, execute, profit, avail”), from Old English framian, fremian, fremman (“to profit, avail, advance”), from Proto-West Germanic *frammjan, from Proto-Germanic *framjaną (“to further, promote, perform”), from Proto-Indo-European *promo- (“front, forward”). Cognate with Low German framen (“to commit, effect”), Danish fremme (“to promote, further, perform”), Swedish främja (“to promote, encourage, foster”), Icelandic fremja (“to commit”). More at from. Pronunciation: /ˈfɹeɪ̯m/ 1. To fit, as for a specific end or purpose; make suitable or comfortable; adapt; adjust. Labels: transitive Example: I will hereafter frame myself to be coy. Example: frame my face to all occasions 2. To construct by fitting together or uniting various parts; fabricate by union of constituent parts. Labels: transitive Example: Nature that fram’d vs of foure Elements, Warring within our breaſts for regiment, Doth teach vs all to haue aſpyring minds: 3. To bring or put into form or order; adjust the parts or elements of; compose; contrive; plan; devise. Labels: transitive Example: He began to frame the loveliest countenance he could. Example: How many excellent reasonings are framed in the mind of a man of wisdom and study in a length of years. 4. To put together the structural elements of (a constructed object such as a building). Labels: transitive Example: Once we finish framing the house, we'll hang tin on the roof. 5. To place (a picture such as a painting or photograph) inside a decorative border. Labels: transitive 6. To position visually within a fixed boundary. Labels: transitive Example: The director frames the fishing scene very well. Example: Round glasses would frame your face perfectly. 7. To construct in words so as to establish a context for understanding or interpretation. Labels: transitive Example: How would you frame your accomplishments? Example: The way the opposition has framed the argument makes it hard for us to win. 8. Conspire to falsely incriminate an innocent person. Labels: transitive Example: The gun had obviously been placed in her car in an effort to frame her. 9. To wash ore with the aid of a frame. Labels: dialectal, intransitive 10. To move. Labels: dialectal, intransitive Example: An oath, and a threat to set Throttler on me if I did not "frame off" rewarded my perseverance. 11. To proceed; to go. Labels: intransitive, obsolete Example: The beautie of this ſinfull Dame, / Made many Princes thither frame, / To ſeeke her as a bedfellow, / In maryage pleaſures, playfellow: 12. To hit (the ball) with the frame of the racquet rather than the strings (normally a mishit). 13. To strengthen; refresh; support. Labels: obsolete, transitive Example: At last with creeping crooked pace forth came / An old old man, with beard as white as snow, / That on a staffe his feeble steps did frame 14. To execute; perform. Labels: obsolete, transitive Example: All have sworn him an oath that they should frame his will on earth. Example: The silken tackle / Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands / That yarely frame the office. 15. To cause; to bring about; to produce. Labels: obsolete, transitive Example: Fear frames disorder, and disorder wounds. 16. To profit; avail. Labels: intransitive, obsolete 17. To fit; accord. Labels: intransitive, obsolete Example: When thou hast turned them all ways, and done thy best to hew them and to make them frame, thou must be fain to cast them out. 18. To succeed in doing or trying to do something; manage. Labels: intransitive, obsolete