GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Affray , v. t. [p. p. Affrayed.] [OE. afraien, affraien, OF. effreer, esfreer, F. effrayer, orig. to disquiet, put out of peace, fr. L. ex + OHG. fridu peace (akin to E. free). Cf. Afraid, Fray, Frith inclosure.] [Archaic]
   To startle from quiet; to alarm.
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   Smale foules a great heap
   That had afrayed [affrayed] me out of my sleep.
   Chaucer.
   
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   To frighten; to scare; to frighten away.
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   That voice doth us affray.
   Shak.
   
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2.       
   Affray , n. [OE. afrai, affrai, OF. esfrei, F. effroi, fr. OF. esfreer. See Affray, v. t.]
   The act of suddenly disturbing any one; an assault or attack. [Obs.]
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   Alarm; terror; fright. [Obs.]
   Spenser.
   
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   A tumultuous assault or quarrel; a brawl; a fray. “In the very midst of the affray.”  
   Motley.
   
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   (Law) The fighting of two or more persons, in a public place, to the terror of others.
   Blackstone.
   
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   ☞ A fighting in private is not, in a legal sense, an affray.
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   Syn. -- Quarrel; brawl; scuffle; encounter; fight; contest; feud; tumult; disturbance.
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