I. ˈȯ noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse agi; akin to Old English ege awe, Greek achos pain
Date: 13th century
1. : an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime
stood in awe of the king
regard nature's wonders with awe
2. archaic
a. : dread , terror
b. : the power to inspire dread
II. transitive verb
( awed ; aw·ing )
Date: 13th century
: to inspire with awe
we were awed by the beauty of the mountains