Obs. [a. F. effraye-r: see AFFRAY.]

1

  1.  trans. To frighten; to affect with fear; to alarm, startle.

2

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, VII. 610. Thai effrayit war suddanly.

3

1480.  Caxton, Chron. Eng., ccxiv. 201. Moche other folke were sore effrayed.

4

1500–20.  Dunbar, Thistle & Rose, 68. And that no schouris nor blastis cawld Effray suld flouris nor fowles on the fold.

5

1596.  Spenser, F. Q., I. i. 16. Their dam upstart out of her den effraide.

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  2.  To keep off by frightening; to scare.

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1588.  A. King, trans. Canisius’ Catech., 58. Fra yis profane noueltie … effrayis vs ye Apostolique … doctrine.

8

  3.  To feel fear of; to fear.

9

1485.  Caxton, Trevisa’s Higden (1527), III. xxx. 122. I lyue in grete drede and effray myne owne wardyens.

10

  Hence Effrayed ppl. a., frightened, shaking with fear. Effrayedly adv., in an alarmed manner, as men do who are alarmed. Effraying vbl. sb., the state of being afraid; fright. All Obs.

11

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, V. 110. The men … full effraytly gat thair ger. Ibid., IX. 599. The Inglis … war stonayit for effrayng.

12

1533.  Bellenden, Livy, II. (1822), 150. The senate effrayetlie convenit to this counsell, and wes mair effrayetlie consultit.

13

1553.  Douglas, Æneis, IX. iii. (ed. 1), 170. Wyth pikkis brekand doun Zone forteres, and now … wyth me Assailzeant this effrayit strenth.

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