afield

Away (from the home or starting point, physical or conceptual). (Often preceded by far, farther, or further.)

Adverb

  1. Away (from the home or starting point, physical or conceptual). (Often preceded by far, farther, or further.)
    • This latest excursion took us farther afield than ever.
    • His latest remarks went far afield of any mainstream conception.
    • Whether things could have been different is an open question, and one that would take us far afield from the focus of this book. - 1999, Jacob S. Hacker, The Road to Nowhere: The Genesis of President Clinton's Plan for...
  2. On the field.
    • We now have both teams afield and can begin the match.
  3. Out in the open.
    • The merchant was much interested in my journey, and thought it dangerous to sleep afield. - 1879, Robert Louis Stevenson, Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes, page 116:
    • Meanwhile, witch Tituba, Tonight you sleep afield, molest not this house. Return here early for your judgement. - 2000, Robert Manns, Night of the Frogs & Sautee and Nacoochee, →ISBN, page 27:

Origin

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.

Forms

more afield most afield