GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 5 definitions

  1.       
    Fear (fēr), n. A variant of Fere, a mate, a companion. [Obs.]  Spenser.

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  2.       
    Fear, n. [OE. fer, feer, fere, AS. fǣr 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.

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

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

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    Where no hope is left, is left no fear. Milton.

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    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.

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    I will put my fear in their hearts. Jer. xxxii. 40.

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

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

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

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    There were they in great fear, where no fear was. Ps. liii. 5.

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

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

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  3.       
    Fear, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Feared (fērd); p. pr. & vb. n. Fearing.] [OE. feren, faeren, to frighten, to be afraid, AS. fǣran 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.

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    I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Ps. xxiii. 4.

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    With subordinate clause.

    I greatly fear my money is not safe. Shak.



    I almost fear to quit your hand. D. Jerrold.

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    2. To have a reverential awe of; to be solicitous to avoid the displeasure of.

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    Leave them to God above; him serve and fear. Milton.

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

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

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

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    Ay what else, fear you not her courage? Shak.

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

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    Fear their people from doing evil. Robynson (More's Utopia).

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    Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs. Shak.

    Syn. -- To apprehend; dread; reverence; venerate.

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  4.       
    Fear, v. i. To be in apprehension of evil; to be afraid; to feel anxiety on account of some expected evil.

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    I exceedingly fear and quake. Heb. xii. 21.

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  5.       
    Fere (?), n. [OE. fere companion, AS. gefēra, from fēran to go, travel, faran to travel. √78. See Fare.] A mate or companion; -- often used of a wife. [Obs.] [Written also fear and feere.]  Chaucer.

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    And Cambel took Cambrina to his fere. Spenser.

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    In fere, together; in company. [Obs.] Chaucer.

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