Fear, v. t. [imp. & p. p.Feared (fērd); p. pr. & vb. n.Fearing.] [OE. feren, faeren, to frighten, to be afraid, AS. fǣran 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.
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Ps. xxiii. 4.
With subordinate clause.
I greatly fear my money is not safe. Shak.
I almost fear to quit your hand. D. Jerrold.
2. To have a reverential awe of; to be solicitous to avoid the displeasure of.
Leave them to God above; him serve and fear. Milton.
3. To be anxious or solicitous for.
The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children, therefore... I fear you. Shak.
4. To suspect; to doubt.
Ay what else, fear you not her courage? Shak.
5. To affright; to terrify; to drive away or prevent approach of by fear.
Fear their people from doing evil. Robynson (More's Utopia).
Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs. Shak.
Syn. — To apprehend; dread; reverence; venerate.