affray

American  

[uh-frey] / əˈfreɪ /

noun

1. a public fight; a noisy quarrel; brawl.

   Synonyms:

   melee, altercation, fracas, row

2. Law. the fighting of two or more persons in a public place.

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verb (used with object)

1. Archaic. to frighten.

affray British  

/ əˈfreɪ /

noun

1. law a fight, noisy quarrel, or disturbance between two or more persons in a public place

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verb

1. archaic (tr) to frighten

Etymology

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

Explanation

Affray is a somewhat old-fashioned word for an assault or public disturbance. A sports fan disappointed in their favorite team's loss might start an affray in the street after the game. This dated legal term isn't used much in the U.S. these days. Imagine soccer fans rioting in the streets after a game, or a rowdy bar fight involving many people. If these events are frightening to onlookers, they're considered an affray. In Britain, you can be charged with affray if you participate in this kind of group violence. Affray, via the Old French affrai, "disturbance," comes from a Latin root meaning "to take out of peace."

Example Sentences

In the mid 70s, after a sound system dance in north London, he was arrested and charged under the archaic law of Riot and Affray.

From The Guardian • Mar. 16, 2011

Affray, iii, 12, terror, alarm; v, 30, to startle.

From Spenser's The Faerie Queene, Book I by Spenser, Edmund

The boisterous, midnight, festive clarion, The kettle-drum, and far-heard clarionet, Affray his ears, though but in dying tone:—260 The hall door shuts again, and all the noise is gone.

From Keats: Poems Published in 1820 by Robertson, M. (Margaret)

He embarks for France—Is overtaken by a Storm—Is surprised with the Appearance of Pipes—Lands at Calais, and has an Affray with the Officers at the Custom-house.

From The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle by Smollett, T. (Tobias)

Affray, brawl, and broil, like quarrel, are words of inferior dignity.

From English Synonyms and Antonyms With Notes on the Correct Use of Prepositions by Fernald, James Champlin