The Collaborative International Dictionary
Fear \Fear\, n. [OE. fer, feer, fere, AS. f[=ae]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.]
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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. -
(Script.)
Apprehension of incurring, or solicitude to avoid, God's wrath; the trembling and awful reverence felt toward the Supreme Being.
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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.
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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.
Usage examples of "for fear".
I walked blind and half-deaf, with my arms outstretched to protect my face, treading lightly for fear of being tripped.
Soon the storm of miniature fliers became so thick that Plinx had to bring the mudder to a complete halt for fear of running into something ahead.
Captain Frere was obliged to watch him constantly for fear he should murder them.
But he did not intend to make the journey in his company, so, after all, he had no cause for fear.
He wouldn't dare tell me about the option, for fear I would make my deal with LaFrance.
But until the Trader had run through the whole list, I was afraid to send another for fear of confusing him.
Some said Alf had always claimed you couldn't trust no bull, and someone else said he'd often said I was the only one who'd ever gotten along with this particular bull and he was scared all the time I was there for fear the bull would kill me.
We then took the jolly-boat in tow, and returned to the brig, a strict watch being kept for fear that they should rescue the vessel from us.
They began moving as he argued with Colgrave, and I ignored his words for fear there would be something compelling hidden in his voice.
So we went up and down the Jungle seeking for Fear, and presently the buffaloes—.