afeard

or a·feared

[ uh-feerd ]

adjective

, British and Midland and Southern U.S.

1. afraid.

afeard

/ əˈfɪəd /

adjective

1. postpositive an archaic or dialect word for afraid

Word History and Origins

Origin of afeard¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of afeard¹

Old English āfǣred, from afǣran to frighten, from fǣran to fear

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