Fringe (Noun)
Meaning 1
One of the light or dark bands produced by the interference and diffraction of light.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural phenomena.
Examples
- The interference pattern created by the two light waves resulted in a fringe that appeared as a bright band on the screen.
- When the light passed through the narrow slit, it created a fringe that spread out across the surface.
- The researcher observed the fringe produced by the laser beam as it diffracted around the small obstacle.
- By adjusting the position of the lens, the scientist was able to increase the width of the fringe on the display.
- The complex pattern of fringes that appeared on the screen helped the physicist to better understand the behavior of light.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
The outside boundary or surface of something.
Classification
Nouns denoting two and three dimensional shapes.
Examples
- The forest's fringe is where you'll find the most diverse array of plant life.
- A new housing development is being built on the fringe of the city.
- The fringe of the Grand Canyon is prone to rockslides and erosion.
- The village is situated on the fringe of the national park.
- The northern fringe of the state is known for its rugged coastline.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Related Words
Meaning 3
An ornamental border consisting of short lengths of hanging threads or tassels.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The home decor store sold a variety of curtain fringes in different colors and materials.
- The intricate fringe on the antique lampshade added a touch of elegance to the room.
- She carefully threaded the new fringe onto the hem of her favorite skirt.
- The beaded fringe on the handmade bag sparkled in the light as she walked.
- The designer added a luxurious silk fringe to the edges of the custom rug.
Related Words
Meaning 4
A social group holding marginal or extreme views; "members of the fringe believe we should be armed with guns at all times".
Classification
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects.
Examples
- The radical proposal was met with skepticism by mainstream politicians, but gained traction among members of the fringe who were dissatisfied with the current system.
- Members of the fringe believe we should be armed with guns at all times to protect ourselves from the government.
- The conspiracy theories spread quickly through online forums, attracting a large following among the fringe who were eager to believe in secret cabals controlling world events.
- The politician's moderate stance on the issue alienated her from the members of the fringe who wanted a more extreme solution.
- In a bizarre speech, the leader of the fringe movement claimed that aliens were controlling the government and demanded immediate action from his followers.
Meaning 5
A border of hair that is cut short and hangs across the forehead.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 6
A part of the city far removed from the center; "they built a factory on the outskirts of the city".
Classification
Nouns denoting spatial position.
Examples
- The residents on the fringe of the city who didn't have access to the central water supply had to collect their own rainwater.
- The new housing development is being built on the fringe of the metropolis, far from the bustling downtown area.
- As the population grew, the city expanded and new suburbs developed on the fringe of the metropolitan area.
- Many startups are opening their offices on the fringe of the business district, where real estate is more affordable.
- The urban sprawl had led to a mismatch between the infrastructure available in the city center and the fringe areas, where most of the economic activity was taking place.