- fear for
- Fear Fear, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Feared} (f[=e]rd); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Fearing}.] [OE. feren, faeren, to frighten, to be
afraid, AS. f[=ae]ran to terrify. See {Fear}, n.]
1. To feel a painful apprehension of; to be afraid of; to
consider or expect with emotion of alarm or solicitude.
[1913 Webster]
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. --Ps. xxiii. 4. [1913 Webster]
Note: With subordinate clause.
I greatly fear my money is not safe. --Shak.
I almost fear to quit your hand. --D. Jerrold. [1913 Webster]
2. To have a reverential awe of; to be solicitous to avoid the displeasure of. [1913 Webster]
Leave them to God above; him serve and fear. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
3. To be anxious or solicitous for; now replaced by {fear for}. [R.] [1913 Webster]
The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children, therefore . . . I fear you. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
4. To suspect; to doubt. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
Ay what else, fear you not her courage? --Shak. [1913 Webster]
5. To affright; to terrify; to drive away or prevent approach of by fear. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
Fear their people from doing evil. --Robynson (More's Utopia). [1913 Webster]
Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs. --Shak.
Syn: To apprehend; dread; reverence; venerate. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.