noun
- a trimming, as a strip of cloth or lace, gathered at one edge and left loose at the other; ruffle.
- something resembling such a trimming, as the fringe of hair on the chest of some dogs.
- affectation of manner, style, etc.
- something superfluous.
- Photography. wrinkling or loosening of an emulsion at the edges, usually due to excessively high temperature during developing.
verb (used with object)
- to trim or ornament with a frill or frills.
- to form into a frill.
verb (used without object)
- Photography. (of an emulsion) to become wrinkled or loose.
noun
- a gathered, ruched, or pleated strip of cloth sewn on at one edge only, as on garments, as ornament, or to give extra body
- a ruff of hair or feathers around the neck of a dog or bird or a fold of skin around the neck of a reptile or amphibian
- (often capital) a variety of domestic fancy pigeon having a ruff of curled feathers on the chest and cropFull name: oriental frill
- photog a wrinkling or loosening of the emulsion at the edges of a negative or print
- (often plural) informal a superfluous or pretentious thing or manner; affectationhe made a plain speech with no frills
verb
- (tr) to adorn or fit with a frill or frills
- to form into a frill or frills
- (intr) photog (of an emulsion) to develop a frill
“mere embellishments,” 1893, often in negative constructions; earlier “affectation of dress or manner” (1845); see frill.
“wavy ornamental edging,” 1801 (with a doubtful attestation from 1590s), of uncertain origin despite much speculation [see OED]; figurative sense of “useless ornament” first recorded 1893. The verb meaning “to furnish with a frill” is recorded in 1570s. Related: Frilled.