— dreadable , adj. — dreadness , n.
/dred/ , v.t.
1. to fear greatly; be in extreme apprehension of: to dread death.
2. to be reluctant to do, meet, or experience: I dread going to big parties.
3. Archaic. to hold in respectful awe.
v.i.
4. to be in great fear.
n.
5. terror or apprehension as to something in the future; great fear.
6. a person or thing dreaded.
7. Archaic. deep awe or reverence.
adj.
8. greatly feared; frightful; terrible.
9. held in awe or reverential fear.
[ 1125-75; ME dreden (v.), OE draedan, aph. var. of ADRAEDAN, ONDRAEDAN; c. OHG intratan to fear ]
Syn. 5. See fear. 8. dire, dreadful, horrible.
Ant. 1. welcome.