Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FRIGHT, n. [frīte; Dan. frygt; Sw. fruchtan; Sax. fyrhto, fyrhtu, fyrhtnis, fright, and firhted, frighted, frihtan, to frighten; G. furcht, fürchten; D. vrugten, to fear; Fr. effrayer. Qu. Gr. φρισσω, φριξω, to fear, that is, to shrink or shiver. But fright, or the Sax. fyrhto, is precisely the Ethiopic participle ፋርት ferht, from ፈርሀ ferah, to fear, which seems to be allied to L. vereor. Class Br, No. 33.]

Sudden and violent fear; terror; a passion excited by the sudden appearance of danger. It expresses more than fear, and is distinguished from fear and dread, by its sudden invasion and temporary existence; fright being usually of short duration, whereas fear and dread may be long continued.