Dread — Defs

01 v. t. To fear in a great degree; to regard, or look forward to, with terrific apprehension.

imp. & p. p. Dreaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Dreading

1.
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.

02 v. i. To be in dread, or great fear.

1.
To be in dread, or great fear.
“Dread not, neither be afraid of them.” — Deut. i. 29.

03 n. Great fear in view of impending evil; fearful apprehension of danger; anticipatory terror.

1.
Great fear in view of impending evil; fearful apprehension of danger; anticipatory terror.
“The secret dread of divine displeasure.” — Tillotson.

“The dread of something after death.” — Shak.
2.
Reverential or respectful fear; awe.
“The fear of you, and the dread of you, shall be upon every beast of the earth.” — Gen. ix. 2.

“His scepter shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings.” — Shak.
3.
An object of terrified apprehension.
4.
A person highly revered.[Obs.]
5.
Fury; dreadfulness.[Obs.]
6.
Doubt; as, out of dread.[Obs.]

Syn. Awe; fear; affright; terror; horror; dismay; apprehension. See Reverence.

04 a. Exciting great fear or apprehension; causing terror; frightful; dreadful.

1.
Exciting great fear or apprehension; causing terror; frightful; dreadful.
“A dread eternity! how surely mine.” — Young.
2.
Inspiring with reverential fear; awful' venerable; as, dread sovereign; dread majesty; dread tribunal.