affray

About 0.15 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To startle from quiet; to alarm.
2. verb To frighten; to scare; to frighten away.
3. noun The act of suddenly disturbing anyone; an assault or attack.
4. noun A tumultuous assault or quarrel.
5. noun The fighting of two or more persons, in a public place, to the terror of others.

   The affray in the busy marketplace caused great terror and disorder.

6. noun Terror.

Similar words

disturbance fracas altercation fray ruffle brawl medley affrighten affright abraid

Often followed by

with in at between was and of took which

Word family

affrayed affraying affrays