affright

Etymology 1

From Middle English afrighten, from Old English āfyrhtan, equivalent to a- + fright.

noun

  1. (archaic) Great fear, terror, fright.
    No one for a moment dreamed of the possible occurrence of any thing in the course of a few hours which would fill every mind with horror, and cause even the dark-hearted Martina to tremble with affright. 1854, The Mysteries of a Convent, page 107
    […]Then behold, there came up to us a huge fish, as big as a tall mountain, at whose sight we became wild for affright and, weeping sore, made ready for death, marvelling at its vast size and gruesome semblance; when lo! a second fish made its appearance than which we had seen naught more monstrous. 1885, Richard F. Burton, The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, Night 563

verb

  1. (archaic, transitive) To inspire fright in; to frighten, to terrify.

Etymology 2

From Middle English afright, from Old English āfyrht (“terrified; afraid”), past participle of āfyrhtan (“to terrify; make afraid”).

adj

  1. afraid; terrified; frightened
    So that thou shalt not need I say, to feare or be affright, of all the shafts that Hie by day, nor terrours of the night. 1641, The Whole Booke of Psalmes
    “Do not be afright,” he continued, after a pause; “do not be afright, my dear young ladies, I am quite harmless—a harmless old man—I would not shed a pigeon's blood. 1856, Mrs. S. C. Hall, Popular tales and sketches, page 29

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