fray
noun
°Affray; broil; contest; combat; brawl; melee.
"Though they did not know the reason for the dispute, they did not hesitate to leap into the fray."
verb
°To unravel; used particularly for the edge of something made of cloth, or the end of a rope.
"The ribbon frayed at the cut end."
°To cause exhaustion, wear out (a person's mental strength).
"The stressful day ended in frayed nerves. (Metaphorical use; nerves are visualised as strings)"