I. ˈfrīt noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English fyrhto, fryhto; akin to Old High German forhta fear
Date: before 12th century
1. : fear excited by sudden danger : alarm
gave me quite a fright
2. : something strange, ugly, or shocking
Synonyms: see fear
II. transitive verb
Date: before 12th century
: to alarm suddenly : frighten