† aˈfley, v. Obs. or dial.
Forms: 1 afl{yacu}ᵹ-an, afl{iacu}ᵹ-an; 2–3 aflei-en, avlei-en. pa. pple. 5 aflayed, 8– Sc. afley'd.
[f. a- prefix 1 away, off + fl{iacu}-ᵹan to put to flight: see fley.]
1. To put to flight, chase away.
| c 1000 ælfric Hom. (Sweet 80) ᵹé áfl{iacu}ᵹdon deóflu. c 1000 ― Gram. xxviii. 166 Ic afliᵹe mine f{yacu}nd. c 1230 Ancren Riwle 136 Þes ston..avleieð attri þinges. |
2. To discomfit: in pa. pple. dismayed, frightened. (Still used in Scotch.)
| c 1450 Merlin 296 Tha[n] was the kynge loot sore aflayed. a 1774 R. Fergusson King's Birthd. (1845) 2 The herds would gather in their nowt..Hafflins afley'd to bide thereout To hear thy thunder. |