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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

4 entries under this word

Dread

Drēad, n.

noun

(drĕd), n. [A-S. dræd. See infra.]

  1. Terror excited by the prospect or anticipation of great evil; overwhelming apprehension of danger. “The secret dread of divine displeasure.” Tillotson.
  2. Reverential or respectful fear; awe.

The fear of you, and the dread of you, shall be upon every beast of the earth. Gen. ix. 2. 3. An object of terrified apprehension, or of reverential fear; a person regarded with great reverence. “Una, his dear dread.” Spenser. “To thee, our dearest dread.” Prior. Syn.—Awe; fear; affright; terror; horror; dismay; apprehension. See AWE.

Drēad, a.

adjective

a. 1. Exciting great fear or apprehension; terrible; frightful. “A dread eternity! how surely mine.” Young.

Sense 2. Venerable in the highest degree; inspiring awe; as, dread sovereign; dread majesty; dread tribunal.

Drēad, v. t.

verbtransitive

(drĕd), v. t. [imp. & p. p. DREADED; p. pr. & vb. n. DREADING.] [A-S. drædan, ádrædan. Cf. ADREAD.] To fear in a great degree; to regard or look forward to with terrific apprehension.

When at length the moment dreaded through so many years came close, the dark cloud passed away from Johnson's mind. Macaulay.

Drēad, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. To be in great fear. Dread not, neither be afraid of them. Deut. i. 29.