FEAR (3)

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. 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. 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. 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. 4. To suspect; to doubt.
Ay what else, fear you not her courage? Shak. 5. 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.