Dread (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Dreaded; p. pr. & vb. n.Dreading.] [AS. dr�dan, in comp.; akin to OS. drādan, OHG. trātan, both only in comp.] To fear in a great degree; to regard, or look forward to, with terrific apprehension.
When at length the moment dreaded through so many years came close, the dark cloud passed away from Johnson's mind. Macaulay.