ETYM OF, fringe, French frange, prob. from Latin fimbria fiber, thread, fringe, cf. fibra fiber, Eng. fiber, fimbriate.
1. An ornamental appendage to the border of a piece of fabric, usually consisting of loose or braided ends of thread or yarn.
2. Something resembling in any respect a fringe; a line of objects along a border or edge; a border; an edging; a margin; a confine.
3. One of a number of light or dark bands, produced by the interference of light; a diffraction band.
4. The peristome or fringelike appendage of the capsules of most mosses.
5. (British) Hair cut straight across the forehead; bangs.