for fear

1 definition found

for fear - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Fear \Fear\, n. [OE. fer, feer, fere, AS. f[=ae]r a coming
     suddenly upon, fear, danger; akin to D. vaar, OHG. f[=a]ra
     danger, G. gefahr, Icel. f[=a]r harm, mischief, plague, and
     to E. fare, peril. See Fare.]
     1. A painful emotion or passion excited by the expectation of
        evil, or the apprehension of impending danger;
        apprehension; anxiety; solicitude; alarm; dread.
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     Note: The degrees of this passion, beginning with the most
           moderate, may be thus expressed, -- apprehension,
           fear, dread, fright, terror.
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                 Fear is an uneasiness of the mind, upon the
                 thought of future evil likely to befall us.
                                                    --Locke.
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                 Where no hope is left, is left no fear. --Milton.
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     2. (Script.)
        (a) Apprehension of incurring, or solicitude to avoid,
            God's wrath; the trembling and awful reverence felt
            toward the Supreme Being.
        (b) Respectful reverence for men of authority or worth.
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                  I will put my fear in their hearts. --Jer.
                                                    xxxii. 40.
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                  I will teach you the fear of the Lord. --Ps.
                                                    xxxiv. 11.
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                  Render therefore to all their dues; tribute to
                  whom tribute is due . . . fear to whom fear.
                                                    --Rom. xiii.
                                                    7.
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     3. That which causes, or which is the object of, apprehension
        or alarm; source or occasion of terror; danger;
        dreadfulness.
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              There were they in great fear, where no fear was.
                                                    --Ps. liii. 5.
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              The fear of your adventure would counsel you to a
              more equal enterprise.                --Shak.
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     For fear, in apprehension lest. "For fear you ne'er see
        chain nor money more." --Shak.
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