affray

noun

af·fray | \ ə-ˈfrā

Definition of affray

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 archaic : fray, brawl

2 chiefly British : a fight in a public place that disturbs the peace

affray

verb

affrayed; affraying; affrays

Definition of affray (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

archaic

: startle, frighten

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about affray

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Examples of affray in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Both the 6-foot, 191-pound Mills and the 6-foot-8, 200-pound Robinson were charged with disorderly affray, which generally refers to fighting in a public place. — Howard Fendrich, The Seattle Times, "DC police: Eagles’ Mills, Wiz’s Robinson arrested for fight," 13 Apr. 2019 Waiters now faces charges of assault and battery, assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, affray and threats, according to officials. — Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, "Dorchester man charged with biting Boston police officer," 25 June 2018 White is charged with assault and battery, resisting arrest, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and affray, the release said. — Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, "Dorchester man charged with biting Boston police officer," 25 June 2018 They were charged with second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, disruption of school activities and affray. — Washington Post, "Southern Maryland crime report," 10 May 2018 The arrests were for alleged offences including affray, ticket touting and breaching banning and dispersal orders. — SI.com, "Eight People Arrested After Manchester Brawl Before United's 3-2 Win Against City," 8 Apr. 2018 All of the three teens involved were charged with public affray, police said. — Wbtv, charlotteobserver, "NC mom accused of pulling knife on son’s bullies is suing CMS | Charlotte Observer," 13 Feb. 2018 Although China experiences tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrations each year, these are local affrays which are mostly reactions to greedy local governments. — The Economist, "Life and soul of the PartyXi Jinping has been good for China’s Communist Party; less so for China," 14 Oct. 2017 Crotts is facing disorderly conduct and inciting an affray charges, police said. — Adam Sacasa, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Women's wild fight in hotel lobby captured on viral video," 25 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'affray.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for affray

Noun

Middle English afray, affray "fright, consternation, assault, brawl," borrowed from Anglo-French effrei, esfrei, affrai, noun derivative of esfreier, effreier, affraier "to frighten, startle" — more at affray entry 2

Verb

Middle English afraien, affraien "to disturb, frighten, attack, brawl," borrowed from Anglo-French esfreier, effreier, (with prefix alternation) affreer, affraier "to frighten, startle," going back to Gallo-Romance *exfridāre, from Latin ex- ex- entry 1 + Gallo-Romance *-fridāre, derivative from Old Low Franconian *friðu "peace, tranquility," going back to Germanic *friþu- (whence Old English friþ "peace, security, protection," Old Saxon friđu, Old High German fridu, Old Norse friðr), derivative, with the suffix *-tu-, of *fri(j)a- free entry 1