[ad. F. friser, related to frise FRIEZE sb.2; chiefly in pa. pple. frisé, whence med.L. frisātus embroidered (with gold).]
1. trans. To embroider with gold; to work (gold) into arabesques, etc. Now rare.
1577–87. [see FRIEZED ppl. a.2].
1881. Academy, 28 May, 400/2. A magnificent screen—golden in hue and patterned and friezed in exquisitely delicate arabesque—is raised on white marble columns.
2. Naut. (See quots.)
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1776), Freezing, a sort of ornamental painting on the upper part of a ship’s quarter, stern or bow. It consists generally of armour, instruments of war, marine emblems etc.
1771. Rear Admiral J. Montagu, To Secretary of Admiralty, 15 April. An order to the Navy Board ‘for his Majesty’s ship Captain to be freezed on the quarters.’
c 1850. Rudim. Navig. (Weale), 120. Friezing, ornamental carving or painting above the drift-rails, and likewise round the stern or bow.
3. To cover (a silver plate) with chased patterns.
Now used by workmen with reference to ‘frosted work,’ and associated with FREEZE v.
1678. Lond. Gaz., No. 1301/4. Lost … A round Gold Watch … the Dial plate freezed with a little knot in the middle. Ibid. (1683) 1800/4. A round Silver Watch … with a Freiz’d Dial-Plate. Ibid. (1684), 1938/4. A Silver Watch with … long frized Hours on the Dyal Plate.
