Afeared

/əˈfɪrd/ adjective

Definition

An alternate spelling of 'afeard'; frightened or afraid (archaic).

Etymology

Variant spelling of 'afeard,' with the -ed suffix, from the same root 'afear' meaning to frighten.

Kelly Says

Medieval scribes couldn't agree on how to spell this word—'afeared,' 'afeard,' 'afeared'—showing how language was still settling into forms before modern standardization.

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