Dictionary

fratch en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Southern-England) audio
• /fɹæt͡ʃ/

Etymology

From Middle English fracchen (“to make a harsh or strident noise; creak”). Cognate with Scots fratch (“to quarrel”).

Meanings

1. (UK) A dispute, a quarrel; a fight or brawl.
   • -I ha' never had no fratch afore, sin ever I were born, wi' any o' my like; Gonnows I ha' none now that's o' my makin'. 1854, Charles Dickens, “read online”, in Hard Times. For These Times, London: Bradbury & Evans, […], →OCLC:

Forms

Deriveds

fratchy · fratchety

fratch en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Southern-England) audio
• /fɹæt͡ʃ/

Etymology

From Middle English fracchen (“to make a harsh or strident noise; creak”). Cognate with Scots fratch (“to quarrel”).

Meanings

1. (UK, Yorkshire) To argue, to quarrel; to fight.
   • "I am just talking to relieve myself, John. I know better than to fratch with anyone—at least I think I do." 1915, Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr, The Measure of a Man:

Forms