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affray
[ uh-frey ]
/ əˈfreɪ /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
a public fight; a noisy quarrel; brawl.
Law. the fighting of two or more persons in a public place.
verb (used with object)
Archaic. to frighten.
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Origin of affray
1275–1325; Middle English <Anglo-French afray (noun), afrayer (v.), Old French esfrei (noun), esfreer (v.) <Vulgar Latin *exfridāre to break the peace, equivalent to ex-ex-1 + -frid- peace (<Germanic; compare German Friede) + -āre infinitive suffix
Words nearby affray
afford, affordable, Affordable Care Act, afforest, affranchise, affray, affrayer, affreight, affreightment, affricate, affrication
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use affray in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for affray
affray
/ (əˈfreɪ) /
noun
law a fight, noisy quarrel, or disturbance between two or more persons in a public place
verb
(tr) archaic to frighten
Word Origin for affray
C14: via Old French from Vulgar Latin exfridāre (unattested) to break the peace; compare German Friede peace
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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