Fear — Defs

01 n. A variant of Fere, a mate, a companion.

02 n. A painful emotion or passion excited by the expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger; apprehension; anxiety; solicitude…

1.
A painful emotion or passion excited by the expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger; apprehension; anxiety; solicitude; alarm; dread.
“Fear is an uneasiness of the mind, upon the thought of future evil likely to befall us.” — Locke.

“Where no hope is left, is left no fear.” — Milton.
2.
Apprehension of incurring, or solicitude to avoid, God's wrath; the trembling and awful reverence felt toward the Supreme Being.(Script.)
“I will put my fear in their hearts.” — Jer. xxxii. 40.

“I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” — Ps. xxxiv. 11.

“Render therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due . . . fear to whom fear.” — Rom. xiii. 7.
3.
That which causes, or which is the object of, apprehension or alarm; source or occasion of terror; danger; dreadfulness.
“There were they in great fear, where no fear was.” — Ps. liii. 5.

“The fear of your adventure would counsel you to a more equal enterprise.” — Shak.

Phrases & compounds

For fear — in apprehension lest.

03 v. t. To feel a painful apprehension of; to be afraid of; to consider or expect with emotion of alarm or solicitude.

imp. & p. p. Feared; p. pr. & vb. n. Fearing

1.
To feel a painful apprehension of; to be afraid of; to consider or expect with emotion of alarm or solicitude.
“I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.” — Ps. xxiii. 4.

“I greatly fear my money is not safe.” — Shak.
2.
To have a reverential awe of; to be solicitous to avoid the displeasure of.
“Leave them to God above; him serve and fear.” — Milton.
3.
To be anxious or solicitous for; now replaced by fear for.[R.] Also: fear for
“The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children, therefore . . . I fear you.” — Shak.
4.
To suspect; to doubt.[Obs.]
“Ay what else, fear you not her courage?” — Shak.
5.
To affright; to terrify; to drive away or prevent approach of by fear.[Obs.]
“Fear their people from doing evil.” — Robynson (More's Utopia).

“Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs.” — Shak.

Syn. To apprehend; dread; reverence; venerate.

04 v. i. To be in apprehension of evil; to be afraid; to feel anxiety on account of some expected evil.

1.
To be in apprehension of evil; to be afraid; to feel anxiety on account of some expected evil.
“I exceedingly fear and quake.” — Heb. xii. 21.