Forms: 4–5 afray(e, 4–6 affraye, (4 affroi, 5 enfray), 4– affray. Also aphet. FRAY. [a. OFr. effrei, esfrei, f. esfre-er: see AFFRAY v. The form enfray is an erroneous expansion after the apparent analogy of en-combre, a-combre, etc.]
† 1. The act of suddenly disturbing some one who is at rest; an attack, an assault. Obs.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron., 176. In mirke withouten sight wille enmys mak affray.
c. 1360. Yesterday, in E. E. P. (1862), 137. Þin enemy woltou · not forȝete · But ay be aferd · of his affray.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, XI. 4746. In diffens of þe folke þat affroi made.
1509. Parlyament of Deuylles, xxvi. [He] strongly withstandeth myn affray.
1583. Stanyhurst, Aeneis, XI. (1880), 43. Learne our fatal auentures, Thee toyls of Troians, and last infortunat affray.
† 2. The state produced by sudden disturbance or attack; alarm; fright, terror. Obs.
1303. R. Brunne, Handlyng Synne, 1820. Betwyxe þo twey partys þe dragun lay Gresly to se wyþ grete affray. Ibid. (1330), Chron., 34. Northumberland was in affray for Edred comyng.
c. 1450. Lonelich, Grail, xxv. 174. Was to hem a gret afray, Whanne they syen here Lord þere ded.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froissart, I. ccxv. 271. Wherof the pope and cardynalles were in great affray and drede.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., I. iii. 12. Who full of gastly fright and cold affray Gan shut the dore.
3. A disturbance, a noisy or tumultuous outburst; especially one caused by fighting, a fray. Obs.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron., 66. Now is Edward dede þe soner for þo affrayes.
c. 1420. Pallad. on Husb., X. 186. And boile it so, not with to greet affray.
c. 1450. Lonelich, Graal, II. 306. Piers awook there that he lay, so astoned he was of that afray.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., 179. Let no man wyt where that we war, For ferdnes of a fowlle enfray.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VI. xv. 28. Thys wourthy knycht the commen wele Romane In grete affray perturbit to rest agane And quiet sall restore.
1789. Mrs. Piozzi, France & It., I. 216. The people are … little disposed to public affrays.
1810. Scott, Lady of L., III. xiv. So swept the tumult and affray.
4. esp. A breach of the peace, caused by fighting or riot in a public place.
1482. Caxton, Chron. Eng., cclii. 323. Also this yere was a grete affraye in fleetstrete by nyȝtes tyme bitwene men of court and men of london.
1552. Huloet, Abcedarium, Affraye betwene two men, Monomachia, Pugna.
1576. Lambarde, Peramb. Kent (1826), 331. I reade not of any that was slaine in the affraye.
1697. Blount, Law Dict., s.v., An Assault is only a wrong to the party; an Affray is a common wrong.
1757. Burke, Abridgm. Eng. Hist., Wks. X. 352. The suppressing of riots and affrays.
1823. Scott, Peveril, I. vii. 127. I trust you have had no hurt in this mad affray?
