n.

1. agitation resulting from active worry;
   stew, sweat, lather, swither
   
   • don't get in a stew
   • he's in a sweat about exams
2. a spot that has been worn away by abrasion or erosion;
   worn spot
3. an ornamental pattern consisting of repeated vertical and horizontal lines (often in relief);
   Greek fret, Greek key, key pattern
   
   • there was a simple fret at the top of the walls
4. a small bar of metal across the fingerboard of a musical instrument; when the string is stopped by a finger at the metal bar it will produce a note of the desired pitch

v.

1. worry unnecessarily or excessively;
   fuss, niggle
   
   • don't fuss too much over the grandchildren--they are quite big now
2. be agitated or irritated
   
   • don't fret over these small details
3. provide (a musical instrument) with frets
   
   • fret a guitar
4. become or make sore by or as if by rubbing;
   chafe, gall
5. cause annoyance in
6. gnaw into; make resentful or angry;
   eat into, rankle, grate
   
   • The injustice rankled her
   • his resentment festered
7. carve a pattern into
8. decorate with an interlaced design
9. be too tight; rub or press;
   choke, gag
   
   • This neckband is choking the cat
10. cause friction;
    rub, fray, chafe, scratch
    
    • my sweater scratches
11. remove soil or rock;
    erode, eat away
    
    • Rain eroded the terraces
12. wear away or erode;
    eat away