Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Fear \Fear\, n. [OE. fer, feer, fere, AS. f?r a coming suddenly
   upon, fear, danger; akin to D. vaar, OHG. f[=a]ra danger, G.
   gefahr, Icel. f[=a]r 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.

   Note: The degrees of this passion, beginning with the most
         moderate, may be thus expressed, -- apprehension, fear,
         dread, fright, terror.

               Fear is an uneasiness of the mind, upon the
               thought of future evil likely to befall us.
                                                  --Locke.

               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 Belng.
      (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.

                render therefore to all their dues; tribute to
                whom tribute is due . . . 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; danger;
      dreadfulness.

            There were they in great fear, where no fear was.
                                                  --Ps. liii. 5.

            The fear of your adventure would counsel you to a
            more equal enterprise.                --Shak.

   {For fear}, in apprehension lest. ``For fear you ne'er see
      chain nor money more.'' --Shak.