Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “affrightment” come from?

affrightment (English) comes from English affright, from Middle English afrighten, from Old English āfyrhtan — to terrify; make afraid; to make afraid; terrify.

affrightment (English): The action of frightening or terrifying;...

Definitions

  1. The action of frightening or terrifying;...

Ancestry of “affrightment”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishaffrightGreat fear, terror, fright; To terrify, to...
2Middle Englishafrighten—
3Old Englishāfyrhtanto terrify; make afraid; to make afraid; terrify
Every word from Old English āfyrhtan →