frame
Pronunciation: (frām), [key]
— n., v., framed, fram•ing.
—n.
- a border or case for enclosing a picture, mirror, etc.
- a rigid structure formed of relatively slender pieces, joined so as to surround sizable empty spaces or nonstructural panels, and generally used as a major support in building or engineering works, machinery, furniture, etc.
- a body, esp. a human body, with reference to its size or build; physique: He has a large frame.
- a structure for admitting or enclosing something: a window frame.
- Usually, the framework for a pair of eyeglasses.
- form, constitution, or structure in general; system; order.
- a particular state, as of the mind: an unhappy frame of mind.
- one of the successive pictures on a strip of film.
- a single traversal by the electron beam of all the scanning lines on a television screen. In the U.S. this is a total of 525 lines traversed in second. Cf. field (def. 19).
- the information or image on a screen or monitor at any one time.
-
- one of the ten divisions of a game.
- one of the squares on the scorecard, in which the score for a given frame is recorded.
- rack (def. 3).
- an inning.
- a frame-up.
- enclosing lines, usually forming a square or rectangle, to set off printed matter in a newspaper, magazine, or the like; a box.
- the structural unit that supports the chassis of an automobile.
-
- any of a number of transverse, riblike members for supporting and stiffening the shell of each side of a hull.
- any of a number of longitudinal members running between web frames to support and stiffen the shell plating of a metal hull.
- a machine or part of a machine supported by a framework, esp. as used in textile production: drawing frame; spinning frame.
- the workbench of a compositor, consisting of a cabinet, cupboards, bins, and drawers, and having flat and sloping work surfaces on top.
- an ornamental border, similar to a picture frame, stamped on the front cover of some books.
- (of a hull) with all frames erected and ready for planking or plating.
—v.t.
- to form or make, as by fitting and uniting parts together; construct.
- to contrive, devise, or compose, as a plan, law, or poem: to frame a new constitution.
- to conceive or imagine, as an idea.
- to incriminate (an innocent person) through the use of false evidence, information, etc.
- to provide with or put into a frame, as a picture.
- to give utterance to: Astonished, I attempted to frame adequate words of protest.
- to form or seem to form (speech) with the lips, as if enunciating carefully.
- to fashion or shape: to frame a bust from marble.
- to shape or adapt to a particular purpose: to frame a reading list for ninth graders.
- to contrive or prearrange fraudulently or falsely, as in a scheme or contest.
- to adjust (film) in a motion-picture projector so as to secure exact correspondence of the outlines of the frame and aperture.
- to line up visually in a viewfinder or sight.
- to direct, as one's steps.
—v.i.
- to betake oneself; resort.
- to prepare, attempt, give promise, or manage to do something.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.