a decorative border of thread, cord, or the like, usually hanging loosely from a raveled edge or separate strip.

anything resembling or suggesting this

a fringe of grass around a swimming pool.

an outer edge; margin; periphery

on the fringe of the art world.

something regarded as peripheral, marginal, secondary, or extreme in relation to something else

the lunatic fringe of a strong political party.

Optics . one of the alternate light and dark bands produced by diffraction or interference.

fringe benefit.

to furnish with or as if with a fringe.

to serve as a fringe for, or to be arranged around or along so as to suggest a fringe

armed guards fringing the building.