I. əˈfrā, aˈf-, ˈaˌf- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English afray, affray, from Middle French esfrei, effray, affray, from esfreer, effreer, affreer, v.
1. obsolete : alarm , fright , terror
2. : a tumultuous assault : a violent engagement or action : fray , brawl , quarrel
the walls themselves were torn down in the fury of the affray — M.J.O'Kelly
European crises, diplomatic affrays — C.E.Montague
specifically : the fighting of two or more persons in a public place so as to frighten others, the offense under the law consisting in the disturbance of the public peace
Synonyms: see contest
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English afraien, affraien, from Middle French esfreer, effreer, affreer, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin exfridare, from Latin ex- + (assumed) Vulgar Latin -fridare (of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German fridu peace) — more at frithborh
1. archaic : startle , alarm
2. archaic
a. : scare
b. : to frighten away
Synonyms: see frighten