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afeard

adjective \ ə-ˈfird \
variants: or afeared

Definition of afeard

chiefly dialectal
: afraid

Origin and Etymology of afeard

Middle English afered, going back to Old English āfǣred, past participle of āfǣran "to frighten," from ā-, perfective prefix + fǣran "to frighten" — more at abide, 2fear

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