Dictionary

fraist en · VERB

Etymology

From Middle English fraisten, freisten, frasten, from Old Norse freista (“to try, tempt, make trial of”), from Proto-Germanic *fraistōną (“to try”), from Proto-Indo-European *per- (“to try, risk”). Cognate with Icelandic freista (“to tempt”), Swedish fresta (“to try, tempt, tantalise”), Danish friste (“to try, tempt”), Old English frāsian (“to ask, inquire, tempt, try”). More at fraise.

Meanings

1. (UK, ambitransitive, dialectal, obsolete) To try; test; prove; put to the proof; make trial (of).
   • Þen found he no frekes to fraist on his strenght. 1540, Destruction of Troy:
2. (UK, dialectal, obsolete, transitive) To learn by trial; experience.
3. (obsolete, transitive) To seek to learn; ask; inquire.
4. (obsolete, transitive) To seek; be eager for; desire.
5. (intransitive, obsolete) To go forth on an expedition; sally forth.

Forms

Relateds

fraise