əˈ- adverb (or adjective)
Etymology: Middle English afelde, from Old English on felda, on felde, from on + felda, felde, dative of feld field — more at field
1.
a. : upon a field of battle
the armies were afield , challenging the enemy's advance
b. : out to a field of battle
fierce warriors rushing afield
2. : into or in a field : in or into the countryside
unlawful to carry hunting rifles afield until the open season
afield , too, he had a quick eye for scenery — Times Literary Supplement
3.
a. : away from home, usual surroundings, or native country : abroad
looking afield for new lands to conquer — R.A.Hall b.1911
b. : to or at a distance : away from a given point — used especially with far or farther
they were at work far afield — Russell Lord
he did not want to go any farther afield
4.
a. : outside the circle of one's immediate family, usual associates, or ordinary activities
always looking afield for new friends, new interests
she did not go afield for those who affected art and advanced ideas — Willa Cather
b. : beyond one's ordinary methods of procedure or patterns of behavior : out of the way : to extreme lengths
an artist who has rarely gone afield for his striking effects
5.
a. : beyond the point at issue : off the subject : away from the line of reasoning or interest : astray — used especially with far or farther
inane remarks that were completely afield
such a digression would lead us too far afield — R.W.Murray
b. : beyond evident causes, reasons, or circumstances — usually used with farther
a social upheaval that can be understood only by going farther afield
c. : beyond the fundamental limitations or boundaries
difficult problems that, so far as psychiatry is concerned, are quite afield