Definition of fled

The word "fled" originally comes from the Old English word "flían", which means "to fly" or "to escape". This word is related to other Germanic words such as Old Frisian "floe", Old Norse "flýja", and Old High German "flahn", all of which also mean "to fly" or "to escape". The Old English word "flían" was used to describe the flight of birds, as well as the actions of people who were escaping danger or a difficult situation. It is thought that the word "fled" developed from a shortened form of "flían", possibly due to frequent use in old texts. In Middle English, the spelling and pronunciation of "fléd" evolved, with the "gh" combination resulting from the influence of Old French. By the 14th century, the word "fled" had become a common past tense and past participle form of the verb "fly". Today, the word "fled" is still used to describe the act of flying or escaping quickly and suddenly, especially in literary or colloquial contexts. It adds richness and texture to language by instilling emotions and actions that are often associated with fleeing from obstacles or danger.