Hypertext Webster Gateway: "afraid"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Afraid \A*fraid"\, p. a. [OE. afrayed, affraide, p. p. of
afraien to affray. See {Affray}, and cf. {Afeard}.]
Impressed with fear or apprehension; in fear; apprehensive.
[Afraid comes after the noun it limits.] ``Back they
recoiled, afraid.'' --Milton.
Note: This word expresses a less degree of fear than
terrified or frightened. It is followed by of before
the object of fear, or by the infinitive, or by a
dependent clause; as, to be afraid of death. ``I am
afraid to die.'' ``I am afraid he will chastise me.''
``Be not afraid that I your hand should take.'' --Shak.
I am afraid is sometimes used colloquially to soften a
statement; as, I am afraid I can not help you in this
matter.
Syn: Fearful; timid; timorous; alarmed; anxious.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
afraid
adj 1: filled with fear or apprehension; "afraid even to turn his
head"; "suddenly looked afraid"; "afraid for his
life"; "afraid of snakes"; "afraid to ask questions"
[syn: {afraid(p)}] [ant: {unafraid(p)}]
2: filled with regret or concern; used often to soften an
unpleasant statement; "I'm afraid I won't be able to
come"; "he was afraid he would have to let her go"; "I'm
afraid you're wrong"
3: feeling worry or concern or insecurity; "She was afraid that
I might be embarrassed"; "terribly afraid of offending
someone"; "I am afraid we have witnessed only the first
phase of the conflict"
4: having feelings of aversion or unwillingness; "afraid of
hard work"; "affaid to show emotion"
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