[syn: frighten, fright, scare, affright]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Fright \Fright\ (fr[imac]t), n. [OE. frigt, freyht, AS. fyrhto,
fyrhtu; akin to OS. forhta, OHG. forhta, forahta, G. furcht,
Dan. frygt, Sw. fruktan, Goth. fa['u]rhtei fear, fa['u]rhts
timid.]
[1913 Webster]
1. A state of terror excited by the sudden appearance of
danger; sudden and violent fear, usually of short
duration; a sudden alarm.
[1913 Webster]
2. Anything strange, ugly or shocking, producing a feeling of
alarm or aversion. [Colloq.]
Syn: Alarm; terror; consternation. See Alarm.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Fright \Fright\, v. t. [imp. Frighted; p. pr. & vb. n..
Frighting.] [OE. frigten to fear, frighten, AS. fyrhtan to
frighten, forhtian to fear; akin to OS. forhtian, OHG.
furihten, forahtan, G. f["u]rchten, Sw. frukta, Dan. frygte,
Goth. faurhtjan. See Fright, n., and cf. Frighten.]
To alarm suddenly; to shock by causing sudden fear; to
terrify; to scare.
[1913 Webster]
Nor exile or danger can fright a brave spirit.
--Dryden.
Syn: To affright; dismay; daunt; intimidate.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
fright
n 1: an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific
pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or
fight) [syn: fear, fearfulness, fright] [ant:
bravery, fearlessness]
v 1: cause fear in; "The stranger who hangs around the building
frightens me"; "Ghosts could never affright her" [syn:
frighten, fright, scare, affright]