FEAR

I. verb Etymology: Middle English feren, from Old English fǣran, from fǣr Date: before 12th century transitive verb frighten , to feel ~ in (oneself), to have a reverential awe of , to be afraid of ; expect with alarm , intransitive verb to be afraid or apprehensive , ~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. an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger, b. an instance of this emotion, a state marked by this emotion, anxious concern ; solicitude , profound reverence and awe especially toward God, reason for alarm ; danger , Synonyms: see: ~