"More afield" is a phrase that means "further away". It's spelled with the "a" sound in both "more" and "afield" pronounced the same, but it's not immediately clear whether the "a" sound should be pronounced like "at" or "ah". In IPA phonetic transcription, it's spelled /mɔː(r) əˈfiːld/, which indicates that both "more" and "afield" are pronounced with the "aw" sound as in "law" and the "ee" sound as in "feet". This helps ensure proper pronunciation of the phrase.
"More afield" is an idiomatic expression that refers to something or someone being located or going to a more distant or remote place beyond their current position or usual range. It denotes a movement or expansion beyond what is conventional or expected. The phrase is commonly used in a figurative sense to describe the broadening or widening of scope, whether it be in terms of physical distance, geographical location, knowledge, interest, or exploration.
When used literally, "more afield" implies moving or traveling further away from a particular point or place. For instance, someone might say they are planning to venture more afield on their vacation, indicating their intention to explore places that are farther away or more remote.
In a metaphorical sense, "more afield" denotes an expansion or extension of something beyond its usual confines or range, exploring new territories, ideas, or approaches. For example, a journalist seeking to provide a comprehensive report might interview individuals not just in the immediate vicinity, but also more afield, among a broader range of sources.
Overall, "more afield" emphasizes the idea of moving or expanding beyond the familiar or known, whether it be in a physical, geographical, intellectual, or metaphorical context, in order to discover new perspectives, possibilities, or experiences.
The phrase "more afield" is not a single word with a specific etymology. However, it is a combination of two words: "more" and "afield".
- "More" comes from the Old English word "māra", which means "greater" or "additional". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "maizô" and has connections to the Proto-Indo-European root "*mei-", meaning "big" or "great".
- "Afield" is composed of "a-" which is a preposition denoting expression of direction or motion, and "field". The word "field" originally comes from the Old English "feld", which refers to an open or cultivated land. It is related to the Old High German word "feld", the Dutch word "veld", and the Gothic word "faírga".