GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 5 definitions 

  1.       

    Fear , 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 ; 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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