The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word FIMBRIA
F
I
M
B
R
I
A
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The straight part
We know that "Sort of fringe" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case sort of fringe = fimbria.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does FIMBRIA mean?
FIMBRIA noun- Any anatomical structure in the form of a fringe, but especially that around the ovarian end of the Fallopian tube.
- Hairlike appendage found on the cell surface of many bacteria; used by the bacteria to adhere to one another, to animal cells and to some inanimate objects.