Fēar1, n.
n. [Written also fere; A-S. fēra, gefēra, companion, fara, gefara, fellow-traveler, companion, from faran, to go, fare; N. H. Ger. geführte, M. H. Ger. gezerte, O. H. Ger. givērto, gifērto, gefarto.] A companion. [Obs.] Spenser.
4 entries under this word
Fear
Fēar2, n.
n. [A-S. fār, a coming suddenly upon, deceit, fear, danger, O. Sax. & Icel. fār, Sw. fara, Dan. fare, D. vaar, O. H. Ger. fara, N. H. Ger. fahr, gefahr.] 1. A painful emotion or passion excited by an expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger; apprehension; solicitude; alarm; dread; terror. ☞ The degrees of this passion, beginning with the most moderate, may be thus expressed,—fear, dread, terror, fright. Fear is an uneasiness of the mind, upon the thought of future evil likely to befall us. Locke. True nobility is exempt from fear. Shak. Where no hope is left, is left no fear. Milton. 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. I will put my fear in their hearts. Jer. xxxii. 40. I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Ps. xxxiv. 11. To all their dues, . . . 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. There were they in great fear where no fear was. Ps. iii. 5.
Fear3, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. FEARED; p. pr. & vb. n. FEARING.] [A-S. faran, afaran, to impress fear, to frighten, O. H. Ger. fâren, M. H. Ger. vâren, vüeren, D. varen, vervaren, Sw. förfära, Dan. för-färde. See supra.]
Sense 1. To feel a painful apprehension of; to be afraid of; to consider or expect with emotions of alarm or solicitude.
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Ps. xxiii. 4.
Sense 2. To have a reverential awe of; to be solicitous to avoid the displeasure of.
This do, and live, for I fear God. Gen. xlii. 18.
Leave them to God above; him serve and fear. Milton.
Sense 3. To be anxious or solicitous for. [Rare.]
The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children, therefore . . . I fear you. Shak.
Sense 4. To affright; to terrify; to drive away or prevent approach of by fear.
Tush, tush! fear boys with boys. Shak.
Synonyms—To apprehend; dread; reverence; venerate.
Fēar4, v. i.
To be in apprehension of evil; to be afraid; to feel anxiety on account of some expected evil.
I fear lest . . . your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Cor. xi. 3.
I greatly fear my money is not safe. Shak.