Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Fear \Fear\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Feared}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Fearing}.] [OE. feren, faeren, to frighten, to be afraid,
AS. f?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.
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. --Ps.
xxiii. 4.
Note: With subordinate clause.
I greatly fear my money is not safe. --Shak.
I almost fear to quit your hand. --D. Jerrold.
2. To have a reverential awe of; to solicitous to avoid the
displeasure of.
Leave them to God above; him serve and fear.
--Milton.
3. To be anxious or solicitous for. [R.]
The sins of the father are to be laid upon the
children, therefore . . . I fear you. --Shak.
4. To suspect; to doubt. [Obs.]
Ay what else, fear you not her courage? --Shak.
5. To affright; to terrify; to drive away or prevent approach
of by fear. [Obs.]
fear their people from doing evil. --Robynsin
(More's
utopia).
Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs. --Shak.
Syn: To apprehend; dread; reverence; venerate.