afear

1 of 2

transitive verb

ə-ˈfir

now dialectal, England

: frighten

afear

2 of 2

conjunction

ə-ˈfir

now dialectal, British

: for fear

Word History

Etymology

Transitive verb

Middle English aferen, going back to Old English āfǣran, from ā-, perfective prefix + fǣran "to frighten"

Conjunction

Middle English afere, adverb, "in fear," from a- a- entry 1 + fere fear entry 1

First Known Use

Transitive Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Conjunction

1552, in the meaning defined above

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