Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Afraid, frightened: An archaic or dialectal variant of the adjective "afraid," meaning feeling fear or anxiety.

Usage

• This word is considered archaic, dialectal, or poetic. It is rarely used in modern standard English and is most commonly found in historical texts, classic literature, or to evoke an old-fashioned or rustic tone.
• It is used predicatively, typically after a verb like "be" or "feel."

Examples

• (I am afraid of what the night might bring.)
• (A famous line from Shakespeare's : Do not be afraid; the island is full of noises.)
• (He was afraid to look his father in the eye.)

Advanced Usage

• "afeard of": This is the standard construction, equivalent to "afraid of."
  • "She was afeard of the dark forest." (She was afraid of the dark forest.)
• "afeard that": Used to introduce a clause expressing the object of fear.
  • "They were afeard that the bridge would collapse." (They were afraid that the bridge would collapse.)

Variants and Related Words

• Afraid (adj.): The standard modern English word with the same meaning.
• Feared (adj., archaic): Another archaic term meaning frightened.
• Frightened (adj.): A common synonym in modern English.

Synonyms

• Afraid: Feeling fear or apprehension.
• Frightened: Scared, filled with sudden fear.
• Terrified: Extremely afraid.
• Fearful: Full of fear.

Notes

• "Afeard" is not used to form compound words, phrasal verbs, or idioms in contemporary English. Any idioms would use the modern standard form "afraid" (e.g., "afraid of one's own shadow").

Adjective

1. a pronunciation of afraid