or FRETTE, in architecture, a kind of knot or ornament, consisting of two lits or small fillets variously interlaced or interwoven, and running at parallel distances equal to their breadth.

in heraldry, a bearing composed of six bars, crossed and variously interlaced. Some call it the true lover's knot. See HERALDRY.

in music, signifies a kind of stop on some instruments, particularly bass-viols and lutes. Frets consist of strings tied round the neck of the instrument, at certain distances, within which such and such notes are to be found.

FRET-WORK, that adorned with frets. It is sometimes used to fill up and enrich flat empty spaces; but it is mostly practised in roofs, which are fretted over with plaster work.