Defn: To strike, or strike down. [Obs.] Spenser.
AFFRAY Af*fray", v. t. [p. p. Affrayed.] Etym: [OE. afraien, affraien, OF. effreer, esfreer, F. effrayer, orig. to disquiet, put out of peace, fr. L. ex + OHG. fridu peace (akin to E. free). Cf. Afraid, Fray, Frith inclosure.] [Archaic]
1. To startle from quiet; to alarm. Smale foules a great heap That had afrayed [affrayed] me out of my sleep. Chaucer.
2. To frighten; to scare; to frighten away. That voice doth us affray. Shak.
AFFRAY Af*fray", n. Etym: [OE. afrai, affrai, OF. esfrei, F. effroi, fr. OF. esfreer. See Affray, v. t.]
1. The act of suddenly disturbing any one; an assault or attack. [Obs.]
2. Alarm; terror; fright. [Obs.] Spenser.
3. A tumultuous assault or quarrel; a brawl; a fray. "In the very midst of the affray." Motley.
4. (Law)
Defn: The fighting of two or more persons, in a public place, to the terror of others. Blackstone.