dread

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To anticipate with fear.

   I'm dreading getting the results of the test, as it could decide my whole life.

2. 2
   verb

   To be in dread, or great fear.

   Dread not, neither be afraid of them.

3. 3
   noun

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

   My visit to the doctor is filling me with dread.

4. 4
   noun

   Reverential or respectful fear; awe.

   The fear of you, and the dread of you, shall be upon every beast of the earth.

5. 5
   noun

   A person highly revered.

   Una, his dear dread

6. 6
   noun

   Fury; dreadfulness.

   The mightie ones, affrayd of every chaunges dread

7. 7
   noun

   Clipping of dreadlock.

   Jesus Christ had dreads / So shake 'em / I ain't got none / But I'm planning on growing some.

8. 8
   noun

   Clipping of dreadnought.

   The Royal Navy sent six dreads and four BCs to intercept the German raiding force.

Etymology

From Middle English dreden, from Old English drǣdan (“to fear, dread”), aphetic form of ondrǣdan (“to fear, dread”), from Proto-West Germanic *andarādan, equivalent to Old English and- + rǣdan (whence read); corresponding to an aphesis of earlier adread. Akin to Old Saxon antdrādan, andrādan (“to fear, dread”), Old High German intrātan (“to fear”), Middle High German entrāten (“to fear, dread, frighten”).