Frieze (?), n. [Perh. the same word as frieze a, kind of cloth. Cf.
Friz.] (Arch.) (a) That part of the entablature of an order which is
between the architrave and cornice. It is a flat member or face, either
uniform or broken by triglyphs, and often enriched with figures and
other ornaments of sculpture. (b) Any sculptured or richly ornamented
band in a building or, by extension, in rich pieces of furniture. See
Illust. of Column.
Cornice or frieze with bossy sculptures graven.
Milton.
Frieze (?), n. [F. frise, perh. originally a woolen cloth or stuff from
Friesland (F. Frise); cf. LL. frisii panni and frissatus pannus, a
shaggy woolen cloth, F. friser to friz, curl. Cf. Friz.] A kind of
coarse woolen cloth or stuff with a shaggy or tufted (friezed) nap on
one side. "Robes of frieze." Goldsmith.
Frieze, v. t. To make a nap on (cloth); to friz. See Friz, v. t., 2.
Friezing machine, a machine for friezing cloth; a friezing machine.
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Friezed (?), a. Gathered, or having the map gathered, into little
tufts, knots, or protuberances. Cf. Frieze, v. t., and Friz, v. t., 2.
Frie"zer (?), n. One who, or that which, friezes or frizzes.
Frig"ate (?), n. [F. frÈgate, It. fregata, prob. contracted fr. L.
fabricata something constructed or built. See Fabricate.] 1.
Originally, a vessel of the Mediterranean propelled by sails and by
oars. The French, about 1650, transferred the name to larger vessels,
and by 1750 it had been appropriated for a class of war vessels
intermediate between corvettes and ships of the line. Frigates, from
about 1750 to 1850, had one full battery deck and, often, a spar deck
with a lighter battery. They carried sometimes as many as fifty guns.
After the application of steam to navigation steam frigates of largely
increased size and power were built, and formed the main part of the
navies of the world till about 1870, when the introduction of ironclads
superseded them. [Formerly spelled frigat and friggot.]