fear

n. [ OE. fer, feer, fere, AS. f&aemacr_;r a coming suddenly upon, fear, danger; akin to D. vaar, OHG. fāra danger, G. gefahr, Icel. fār harm, mischief, plague, and to E. fare, peril. See Fare. ] 1. A painful emotion or passion excited by the expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger; apprehension; anxiety; solicitude; alarm; dread. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The degrees of this passion, beginning with the most moderate, may be thus expressed, -- apprehension, fear, dread, fright, terror. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fear is an uneasiness of the mind, upon the thought of future evil likely to befall us. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Where no hope is left, is left no fear. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Script.) (a) Apprehension of incurring, or solicitude to avoid, God's wrath; the trembling and awful reverence felt toward the Supreme Being. (b) Respectful reverence for men of authority or worth. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will put my fear in their hearts. Jer. xxxii. 40. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Ps. xxxiv. 11. [ 1913 Webster ]

Render therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due . . . fear to whom fear. Rom. xiii. 7. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which causes, or which is the object of, apprehension or alarm; source or occasion of terror; danger; dreadfulness. [ 1913 Webster ]

There were they in great fear, where no fear was. Ps. liii. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

The fear of your adventure would counsel you to a more equal enterprise. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

For fear, in apprehension lest. “For fear you ne'er see chain nor money more.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To be in apprehension of evil; to be afraid; to feel anxiety on account of some expected evil. [ 1913 Webster ]

I exceedingly fear and quake. Heb. xii. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Feared p. pr. & vb. n. Fearing. ] [ OE. feren, faeren, to frighten, to be afraid, AS. f&aemacr_;ran to terrify. See Fear, n. ] 1. To feel a painful apprehension of; to be afraid of; to consider or expect with emotion of alarm or solicitude. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Ps. xxiii. 4. [ 1913 Webster ]

With subordinate clause.
I greatly fear my money is not safe. Shak.

I almost fear to quit your hand. D. Jerrold. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To have a reverential awe of; to be solicitous to avoid the displeasure of. [ 1913 Webster ]

Leave them to God above; him serve and fear. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To be anxious or solicitous for; now replaced by fear for. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children, therefore . . . I fear you. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To suspect; to doubt. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Ay what else, fear you not her courage? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To affright; to terrify; to drive away or prevent approach of by fear. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Fear their people from doing evil. Robynson (More's Utopia). [ 1913 Webster ]

Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs. Shak.

Syn. -- To apprehend; dread; reverence; venerate. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A variant of Fere, a mate, a companion. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who fears. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Full of fear, apprehension, or alarm; afraid; frightened. [ 1913 Webster ]

Anxious amidst all their success, and fearful amidst all their power. Bp. Warburton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Inclined to fear; easily frightened; without courage; timid. [ 1913 Webster ]

What man is there that is fearful and faint-hearted? Deut. xx. 8. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Indicating, or caused by, fear. [ 1913 Webster ]

Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Inspiring fear or awe; exciting apprehension or terror; terrible; frightful; dreadful. [ 1913 Webster ]

This glorious and fearful name, The Lord thy God. Deut. xxviii. 58. [ 1913 Webster ]

Death is a fearful thing. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

In dreams they fearful precipices tread. Dryden.

Syn. -- Apprehensive; afraid; timid; timorous; horrible; distressing; shocking; frightful; dreadful; awful. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a fearful manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being fearful. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Free from fear.

Syn. -- Bold; daring; courageous; intrepid; valorous; valiant; brave; undaunted; dauntless; heroic.

-- Fear"less*ly, adv. -- Fear"less*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]