Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Fear \Fear\, n.
   A variant of {Fere}, a mate, a companion. [Obs.] --Spenser.

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.

Fear \Fear\, v. i.
   To be in apprehension of evil; to be afraid; to feel anxiety
   on account of some expected evil.

         I exceedingly fear and quake.            --Heb. xii.
                                                  21.

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.

Source : WordNet®

fear
     n 1: an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain
          or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or
          fight) [syn: {fearfulness}, {fright}] [ant: {fearlessness}]
     2: an anxious feeling; "care had aged him"; "they hushed it up
        out of fear of public reaction" [syn: {concern}, {care}]
     3: a profound emotion inspired by a deity; "the fear of God"
        [syn: {reverence}, {awe}, {veneration}]

fear
     v 1: be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible
          or probable situation or event; "I fear she might get
          aggressive"
     2: be afraid or scared of; be frightened of; "I fear the
        winters in Moscow"; "We should not fear the Communists!"
        [syn: {dread}]
     3: be sorry; used to introduce an unpleasant statement; "I fear
        I won't make it to your wedding party"
     4: be uneasy or apprehensive about; "I fear the results of the
        final exams"
     5: regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider
        hallowed or exalted or be in awe of; "Fear God as your
        father"; "We venerate genius" [syn: {reverence}, {revere},
         {venerate}]