fry
UK[fraɪ]US[fraɪ]
v
to cook something in hot fat or oil
v
to be cooked in hot fat or oil
n
a social occasion at which food is fried and eaten outdoors
n
very young fish
Etymology
the word 'fry' has a direct lineage from the latin verb 'frigere', which specifically meant to roast or fry in a pan. it passed into old french as 'frire' before being adopted into middle english. the core meaning of cooking in hot fat or oil has remained remarkably consistent from its classical root to its modern culinary use. the noun senses, referring to a meal or young fish, are later figurative extensions based on the cooking process or the small size suitable for frying.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form. it is derived from the old french verb 'frire', which came from latin 'frigere', meaning 'to roast or fry'.
Examples
she learned to fry potatoes in a skillet.
the smell of bacon frying is irresistible.
we're having a fish fry at the lake this weekend.