3 entries under this word
v. t. [imp. & p. p. FRIED; p. pr. & vb. n. FRYING.] [Fr. & Pr. frire, Sp. freir, Pg. frigir, It. friggere, Lat. frigere.] To dress with fat by heating or roasting in a pan over a fire; to cook and prepare for eating in a frying-pan; as, to fry meat or vegetables.
v. i. 1. To be heated and agitated, as meat in a frying-pan; to undergo the action of fire or extreme heat; to simmer; hence, to ferment, to foam, or to dissolve with heat. “With crackling flames a caldron fries.” Dryden. “The frothy billows fry.” Spenser. “To keep the oil from frying in the stomach.” Bacon.
Sense 2. To be agitated; to be greatly moved. [Obs.]
What kindling motions in their breasts do fry! Fairfax.
n. [O. Fr. fraye, M. Fr. frai, spawning, spawn of fishes, fry or little fish; It. fregola.] 1. A swarm or crowd, especially of little fishes; a large number. “The fry of children young.” Spenser. “To sever . . . the good fish from the other fry.” Milton.
We have burned two frigates, and a hundred and twenty small fry. H. Walpole.