frame / frām/ • n. 1. a rigid structure that surrounds or encloses something such as a door or window. ∎  (frames) a metal or plastic structure holding the lenses of a pair of glasses. ∎  a case or border enclosing a mirror or picture. ∎  the rigid supporting structure of an object such as a vehicle, building, or piece of furniture. ∎  a person's body with reference to its size or build: a shiver shook her slim frame. ∎  a boxlike structure of glass or plastic in which seeds or young plants are grown. ∎  [in sing.] archaic or poetic/lit. the universe, or part of it, regarded as an embracing structure. ∎  [in sing.] archaic or poetic/lit. the structure, constitution, or nature of someone or something: we have in our inward frame various affections.2. [usu. in sing.] a basic structure that underlies or supports a system, concept, or text: the establishment of conditions provides a frame for interpretation. ∎  technical short for frame of reference: the Earth's motion relative to the frame of the distant galaxies. ∎  the genre or form of a literary text determining its expected style and content: my poems look as though they have a classical frame. ∎  [often as adj.] an enclosing section of narrative, esp. one which foregrounds or comments on the primary narrative of a text: a frame narrator reports the narrative spoken by an inner narrator.3. Linguistics a structural environment within which a class of words or other linguistic units can be correctly used. For example I —— him is a frame for a large class of transitive verbs.4. a single complete picture in a series forming a movie, television, or video film. ∎  a single picture in a comic strip. ∎  Comput. a graphic panel in a display window, especially in an Internet browser, that encloses a self-contained section of data and permits multiple independent document viewing.5. another term for rack¹ (sense 4). ∎  a round of play in bowling. ∎ inf. an inning in a baseball game: he closed out the game by pitching two hitless frames.6. short for frame-up.• v. [tr.] 1. place (a picture or photograph) in a frame: he had the photo framed. ∎  surround so as to create a sharp or attractive image: a short, strong style cut to frame the face.2. erect the framework of a building.3. create or formulate (a concept, plan, or system): the staff have proved invaluable in framing the proposals. ∎  form or articulate (words): he walked out before she could frame a reply. ∎ archaic make or construct (something) by fitting parts together or in accordance with a plan: what immortal hand or eye could frame thy fearful symmetry?4. inf. produce false evidence against (an innocent person) so that they appear guilty: he claims he was framed.PHRASES: frame of mind a particular mood that influences one's attitude or behavior.DERIVATIVES: fram·a·ble / -məbəl/ adj.frame·less adj.fram·er n.frame / frām/ • n. 1. a rigid structure that surrounds or encloses something such as a door or window. ∎  (frames) a metal or plastic structure holding the lenses of a pair of glasses. ∎  a case or border enclosing a mirror or picture. ∎  the rigid supporting structure of an object such as a vehicle, building, or piece of furniture. ∎  a person's body with reference to its size or build: a shiver shook her slim frame. ∎  a boxlike structure of glass or plastic in which seeds or young plants are grown. ∎  [in sing.] archaic or poetic/lit. the universe, or part of it, regarded as an embracing structure. ∎  [in sing.] archaic or poetic/lit. the structure, constitution, or nature of someone or something: we have in our inward frame various affections.2. [usu. in sing.] a basic structure that underlies or supports a system, concept, or text: the establishment of conditions provides a frame for interpretation. ∎  technical short for frame of reference: the Earth's motion relative to the frame of the distant galaxies. ∎  the genre or form of a literary text determining its expected style and content: my poems look as though they have a classical frame. ∎  [often as adj.] an enclosing section of narrative, esp. one which foregrounds or comments on the primary narrative of a text: a frame narrator reports the narrative spoken by an inner narrator.3. Linguistics a structural environment within which a class of words or other linguistic units can be correctly used. For example I —— him is a frame for a large class of transitive verbs.4. a single complete picture in a series forming a movie, television, or video film. ∎  a single picture in a comic strip. ∎  Comput. a graphic panel in a display window, especially in an Internet browser, that encloses a self-contained section of data and permits simultaneous viewing of multiple documents.5. another term for rack¹ (sense 4). ∎  a round of play in bowling. ∎ inf. an inning in a baseball game: he closed out the game by pitching two hitless frames.6. short for frame-up.• v. [tr.] 1. place (a picture or photograph) in a frame: he had the photo framed. ∎  surround so as to create a sharp or attractive image: a short, strong style cut to frame the face.2. erect the framework of a building.3. create or formulate (a concept, plan, or system): the staff have proved invaluable in framing the proposals. ∎  form or articulate (words): he walked out before she could frame a reply. ∎ archaic make or construct (something) by fitting parts together or in accordance with a plan: what immortal hand or eye could frame thy fearful symmetry?4. inf. produce false evidence against (an innocent person) so that they appear guilty: he claims he was framed.PHRASES: frame of mind a particular mood that influences one's attitude or behavior.DERIVATIVES: fram·a·ble / -məbəl/ adj.frame·less adj.fram·er n.