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dread definition

dread (dred)

transitive verb

  1. to anticipate with anxiety, alarm, or apprehension; fear intensely
  2. to face (something disagreeable) with reluctance
  3. Archaic to regard with awe

Etymology: ME dreden < Late OE (WS) drædan, aphetic for ondrædan (akin to OS andradan, OHG intraten) < ond-, in, on, against + base < ?

intransitive verb

Archaic to be very fearful

noun

  1. intense fear, esp. of something which may happen
  2. fear mixed with awe or reverence
  3. reluctance and uneasiness
  4. something dreaded
  5. Informal dreadlocks

adjective

  1. dreaded or dreadful
  2. inspiring awe or reverence; awesome

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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