Frame | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Frāme, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. FRAMED; p. pr. & vb. n. FRAMING.] [A.-S. fremman, to frame, form, effect; fremming, a framing; Icel. frama, to frame, shape. Cf. Ger. rahm, D. raam, Dan. rame, Sw. ram, frame.]

Sense 1. (Carp.) To construct, by fitting and uniting together the several parts; to adjust and put together; to fabricate; to construct; to make; as, to frame a house.

Sense 2. To originate; to plan; to devise; to compose; in a bad sense, to invent or fabricate, as something false.

How many excellent reasonings are framed in the mind of a man of wisdom and study in a length of years! Watts.

Sense 3. To fit to something else, or for some specific end; to adjust, as one's life or hopes; to regulate; to shape; to conform.

And frame my face to all occasions. Shak.

We may in some measure frame our minds for the reception of happiness. Landor.

The human mind is framed to be influenced. I. Taylor.

Sense 4. To support. [Obs. and rare.]

That on a staff his feeble steps did frame. Spenser.

Sense 5. To provide with a frame, as a picture.

Frāme, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. 1. To contrive. [Obs.] Judg. xii. 6. 2. To proceed; to go. [Obs.]

*The beauty of this sinful dame, Made many princes thither frame.* Shak.

Frāme, n.

noun

n. 1. Any thing composed of parts fitted and united together; a fabric; a structure.

Sense 2. Any kind of case or structure made for admitting, inclosing, or supporting things, as that which contains a window, door, picture, or looking glass.

Frame, (Carp.) a, b, a, b, uprights or posts; c, d, e, struts, ties, or braces.

Sense 3. (Print.) A stand to support the cases in which the types are distributed.

Sense 4. (Founding.) A kind of ledge, inclosing a board, which, being filled with wet sand, serves as a mold for castings.

Sense 5. A sort of loom on which linen, silk, &c., is stretched, for quilting and embroidering, or on which lace or stockings are made.

Sense 6. The bodily structure; physical constitution; make or build of a person; the skeleton.

Some bloody passion shakes your very frame. Shak.

No frame could be strong enough to endure it. Prescott.

Sense 7. Form; scheme; structure; constitution; system; as, a frame of government.

She that hath a heart of that fine frame To pay this debt of love but to a brother. Shak.

Sense 8. Regulated or adapted condition; adjusted state; also, particular state, as of the mind; humor; as, to be always in a happy frame.

Sense 9. Contrivance; projection.

John the bastard, Whose spirits toil in frame of villainies. Shak.

A frame with two upright posts, a horizontal top beam, and two diagonal braces. — *Frame*, (Carp.)