affray — af·fray /ə frā/ n [Middle French affrai effrai fright, disturbance, from affraier effreer to terrify]: a fight between two or more people in a public place that disturbs the peace Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996 … Law dictionary
Affray — Af*fray , v. t. [p. p. {Affrayed}.] [OE. afraien, affraien, OF. effreer, esfreer, F. effrayer, orig. to disquiet, put out of peace, fr. L. ex + OHG. fridu peace (akin to E. free). Cf. {Afraid}, {Fray}, {Frith} inclosure.] [Archaic] 1. To startle… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
affray — n fray, fight, combat, conflict, *contest Analogous words: *brawl, row, fracas, melee, rumpus: *encounter, skirmish, brush: dispute, *argument, controversy affray vb *frighten … New Dictionary of Synonyms
affray — (n.) c.1300, state of alarm produced by a sudden disturbance, from O.Fr. effrei, esfrei disturbance, fright, from esfreer (v.) to worry, concern, trouble, disturb, from V.L. *exfridare, lit. to take out of peace, from L. ex out of (see EX (Cf. ex … Etymology dictionary
affray — ► NOUN Law, dated ▪ a breach of the peace by fighting in a public place. ORIGIN from Old French afrayer disturb, startle … English terms dictionary
affray — [ə frā′, afrā′] n. [ME affrai, an attack, alarm < OFr esfrei < esfrëer, to frighten < ML * exfridare < L ex, out of + Gmc base frith , peace] a noisy brawl or quarrel; public fight or riot; breach of the peace vt. [ME affraien <… … English World dictionary
Affray — For the British submarine see HMS Affray (P421) Affray in English Law In English Law, Affray forms part of the Public Order Act 1986 under section 3. The Public Order Act 1986 s.3 states:# A person is guilty of Affray if a person uses or… … Wikipedia
affray — [[t]əfre͟ɪ[/t]] N SING: also no det An affray is a noisy and violent fight, especially in a public place. [FORMAL] Barnstaple crown court was told he caused an affray at a pub in Braunton, Devon... They were convicted of affray and received… … English dictionary
affray — UK [əˈfreɪ] / US noun [countable/uncountable] Word forms affray : singular affray plural affrays legal a noisy argument or fight in a public place … English dictionary
affray — 1. noun a) The act of suddenly disturbing any one; an assault or attack. The affray in the busy marketplace caused great terror and disorder. b) A tumultuous assault or quarrel. Syn: fray, brawl, alarm, terror, fright … Wiktionary
