I. ˈfir verb
Etymology: Middle English feren, from Old English fǣran, from fǣr
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1. archaic : frighten
2. archaic : to feel fear in (oneself)
3. : to have a reverential awe of
fear God
4. : to be afraid of : expect with alarm
fear the worst
intransitive verb
: to be afraid or apprehensive
fear ed for their lives
• fear·er noun
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English fer, from Old English fǣr sudden danger; akin to Old High German fāra ambush and perhaps to Latin periculum attempt, peril, Greek peiran to attempt
Date: 12th century
1.
a. : an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger
b.
(1) : an instance of this emotion
(2) : a state marked by this emotion
2. : anxious concern : solicitude
3. : profound reverence and awe especially toward God
4. : reason for alarm : danger
Synonyms:
fear , dread , fright , alarm , panic , terror , trepidation mean painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger. fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage
fear of the unknown
dread usually adds the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety
faced the meeting with dread
fright implies the shock of sudden, startling fear
fright at being awakened suddenly
alarm suggests a sudden and intense awareness of immediate danger
view the situation with alarm
panic implies unreasoning and overmastering fear causing hysterical activity
the news caused widespread panic
terror implies the most extreme degree of fear
immobilized with terror
trepidation adds to dread the implications of timidity, trembling, and hesitation
raised the subject with trepidation