noun

1. a feeling of anxiety and agitation caused by the presence or nearness of danger, evil, pain, etc.; timidity; dread; terror; fright; apprehension
2. respectful dread; awe; reverence
3. a feeling of uneasiness or apprehension; concern a fear that it will rain
4. a cause for fear; possibility; chance there was no fear of difficulty

Etymology: ME fer < OE fær, lit., sudden attack, akin to OHG fāra, ambush, snare: for IE base see peril

transitive verb

1. Obsolete to fill with fear; frighten
2. to be afraid of; dread
3. to feel reverence or awe for
4. to expect with misgiving; suspect I fear I am late

intransitive verb

1. to feel fear; be afraid
2. to be uneasy, anxious, or doubtful