from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Frame \Frame\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Framed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Framing}.] [OE. framen, fremen, to execute, build, AS.
fremman to further, perform, effect, fr. fram strong,
valiant; akin to E. foremost, and prob. to AS. fram from,
Icel. fremja, frama, to further, framr forward, G. fromm
worthy, excellent, pious. See {Foremost}, {From}, and cf.
{Furnish}.]
1. (Arch. & Engin.) To construct by fitting and uniting the
several parts of the skeleton of any structure;
specifically, in woodwork, to put together by cutting
parts of one member to fit parts of another. See
{Dovetail}, {Halve}, v. t., {Miter}, {Tenon}, {Tooth},
{Tusk}, {Scarf}, and {Splice}.
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2. To originate; to plan; to devise; to contrive; to compose;
in a bad sense, to invent or fabricate, as something
false.
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How many excellent reasonings are framed in the mind
of a man of wisdom and study in a length of years.
--I. Watts.
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3. To fit to something else, or for some specific end; to
adjust; to regulate; to shape; to conform.
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And frame my face to all occasions. --Shak.
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We may in some measure frame our minds for the
reception of happiness. --Landor.
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The human mind is framed to be influenced. --I.
Taylor.
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4. To cause; to bring about; to produce. [Obs.]
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Fear frames disorder, and disorder wounds. --Shak.
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5. To support. [Obs. & R.]
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That on a staff his feeble steps did frame.
--Spenser.
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6. To provide with a frame, as a picture.
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7. to manufacture false evidence against (an innocent
person), so as to make the person appear guilty of a
crime. The act of framing a person is often referred to as
a {frame-up}.
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