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dread

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Dread is defined as being anxious or feeling extreme fear about doing something.

(verb)

An example of dread is a parent being afraid to talk with their pre-teen child about puberty.

The definition of dread is extreme fear, or a single dreadlock.

(noun)

An example of dread is someone being panicked with worry about the well-being of a loved one.
An example of a dread is one of Bob Marley's dreadlocks.

Dread means to turn one's hair into dreadlocks.

(verb)

An example of dread is not washing or brushing your hair until it is matted and shaped into locks.

See dread in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

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

Origin: 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

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

adjective

dreaded or dreadful
inspiring awe or reverence; awesome

See dread in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb dread·ed, dread·ing, dreads

verb, transitive

To be in terror of.
To anticipate with alarm, distaste, or reluctance: dreaded the long drive home.
Archaic To hold in awe or reverence.

verb, intransitive

To be very afraid.

noun

Profound fear; terror.
Fearful or distasteful anticipation. See Synonyms at fear.
An object of fear, awe, or reverence.
Archaic Awe; reverence.

adjective

Causing terror or fear: a dread disease.
Inspiring awe: the dread presence of the headmaster.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English dreden

Origin: , short for adreden

Origin: , from Old English adrǣdan

Origin: , from ondrǣdan, to advise against, fear

Origin: : ond-, and-, against; see un-²

Origin: + rǣdan, to advise; see ar- in Indo-European roots

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