afield

From Middle English afeld, a-felde, o felde, on felde, from Old English on felde (“afield”, literally “in (the) field”), equivalent to a- (“on”) +‎ field.

• IPA^(key): /əˈfiːld/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -iːld

afield (comparative more afield, superlative most afield)

1. Away (from the home or starting point, physical or conceptual); usually preceded by far (or farther, further).
   • 1999, Jacob S. Hacker, The Road to Nowhere: The Genesis of President Clinton's Plan for Healthy Security, →ISBN, page 118:

     Whether things could have been different is an open question, and one that would take us far afield from the focus of this book.

   • 2002, Philip F. Esler, The Early Christian World, →ISBN, page 3:

     There were Christians developing notable traditions somewhat away from the Mediterranean and outside the Roman empire, in places like Armenia, or even further afield, in India

   • 2020 December 2, Paul Bigland, “My weirdest and wackiest Rover yet”, in Rail, page 68:

     My fellow passengers are a mixture of people returning from a day out in the capital, locals doing short hops, and a few (like me) heading farther afield.

2. On the field.

   We now have both teams afield and can begin the match.

3. Out in the open.
   • 1879, Robert Louis Stevenson, Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes, page 116:

     The merchant was much interested in my journey, and thought it dangerous to sleep afield.

   • 2000, Robert Manns, Night of the Frogs & Sautee and Nacoochee, →ISBN, page 27:

     Meanwhile, witch Tituba, Tonight you sleep afield, molest not this house. Return here early for your judgement.

• defail, failed