Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - frame

 I. verb  (~d; framing)  Etymology: Middle English, to benefit, construct, from Old English framian to benefit, make progress; akin to Old Norse fram forward, Old English fram from  Date: 14th century  transitive verb  1. to construct by fitting and uniting the parts of the skeleton of (a structure)  2.  a. plan, contrive ~d a new method of achieving their purpose  b. shape, construct  c. to give expression to ; formulate  d. to draw up (as a document)  3.  a. to devise falsely (as a criminal charge)  b. to contrive the evidence against (an innocent person) so that a verdict of guilty is assured  c. fix 7b  4. to fit or adjust especially to something or for an end ; arrange  5. obsolete produce  6. to enclose in a ~; also to enclose as if in a ~  intransitive verb  1. archaic proceed, go  2. obsolete manage  • framable or ~able adjective  • ~r noun  II. noun  Date: 14th century  1.  a. something composed of parts fitted together and united  b. the physical makeup of an animal and especially a human body ; physique, figure  2.  a. the underlying constructional system or structure that gives shape or strength (as to a building)  b. a ~ dwelling  3. obsolete the act or manner of framing  4.  a. a machine built upon or within a ~work a spinning ~  b. an open case or structure made for admitting, enclosing, or supporting something a window ~  c.  (1) a part of a pair of glasses that holds one of the lenses  (2) plural that part of a pair of glasses other than the lenses  d. a structural unit in an automobile chassis supported on the axles and supporting the rest of the chassis and the body  5.  a. an enclosing border  b. the matter or area enclosed in such a border: as  (1) one of the squares in which scores for each round are recorded (as in bowling); also a round in bowling  (2) an individual drawing in a comic strip usually enclosed by a bordering line  (3) one picture of the series on a length of film  (4) a complete image for display (as on a television set)  c. an inning in baseball  d.  (1) ~work 1a  (2) context, ~ of reference  e. an event that forms the background for the action of a novel or play  6. ~-up  III. adjective  Date: 1753 having a wood ~ ~ houses