Middle English Dictionary Entry
frighten v.
Entry Info
| Forms | frighten v. Forms: p. friȝtede; ppl. friȝt, freȝt, ? fyrt. |
| Etymology | OE fyrhtan frighten, tremble with fear; gefyrhtan, āfyrhtan frighten; ppl. fyrhted, gefyrht(ed, āfyrht(ed. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To make afraid, scare; (b) ?become frightened; (c) ?ppl. apprehensive, fearful.
Associated quotations
a
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)1861 : Oc iacob ne wiste it nogt Til ðat wreche to bale was wrogt, Oc michil he frigtede for-ði boðen symeon and leui.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1441 : Sa freȝt [vr. friȝt] ware þar othire þat feȝtis within..Þat all failis þam þe force.
- a1500(?a1390) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4)160/9 : Þe Holy Gost com adone..yn liknes of tongues of fyre..warmyng not harmyng, lyȝtyng not fryghtyng.
- c1500(?a1437) ?Jas.I KQ (SeldArch B.24)st.162 : I ne wist quhat to done, so was I fricht.
b
- a1325(c1250) Gen.& Ex.(Corp-C 444)3978 : So was ðis were [Balaam] to wunder brogt; ðhog ðe asse spac, frigtede he nogt.
c
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)54 : Bifore þat spot my honde I spennd, For care ful colde þat to me caȝt..I playned my perle þat þer watz spenned Wyth fyrte skylles þat faste faȝt; Þaȝ kynde of Kryst me comfort kenned, My wreched wylle in wo ay wraȝte.