from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Fear \Fear\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Feared} (f[=e]rd); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Fearing}.] [OE. feren, faeren, to frighten, to be
afraid, AS. f[=ae]ran 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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Note: 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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