afeard

American  

[uh-feerd] / əˈfɪərd /

Or afeared

adjective

British and Midland and Southern U.S.

1. afraid.

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afeard British  

/ əˈfɪəd /

adjective

1. (postpositive) an archaic or dialect word for afraid

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Etymology

Origin of afeard

before 1000; Middle English afered, Old English āfǣred frightened (past participle of āfǣran ). See a- ³, fear, -ed ²

Example Sentences

“Man!” he said, “but it made us afeard, for we expeckit that we should have to pay for it wi’ some rare piece o’ ill luck, so as to keep up the average.

From Literature

“Dear Becky,” she began, “I take my pen in hand to tell you that I am well, but so afeard and worried, for we are going to the battle tomorrow.”

From New York Times

While perusing, you might take the advice of Caliban, in “The Tempest”: “Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises / Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.”

From Seattle Times

Be not afeard, the isle is full of noises.

From The Guardian

Though the play quotes the phrase “be not afeard” from Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” the purpose of “Privacy” is to scare you silly, through only seemingly silly means.

From New York Times