dread
verb (dread, dreads, dreaded, dreading); noun (dread; uncountable); adjective (old/literary: dread)
Everyday
- (verb) To feel very worried or afraid about something that is going to happen. tree →
- (noun) A strong feeling of fear about the future. tree →
- (adjective, literary) Causing great fear: «the dread pirate». tree →
- (informal, noun plural «dreads») Short for dreadlocks, a hairstyle of long twisted strands. tree →
In the lessons
In stories dread builds suspense: «She was filled with dread.» In everyday life children dread tests, injections or the dentist. Phrases: «dread doing something», «I dread to think», «filled with dread», «a sense of dread», «full of dread».
Examples
- I dread going to the dentist. tree →
- He was filled with dread as he opened the creaky door. tree →
- I dread to think what the kitchen looks like after the party. tree →
- She dreaded the spelling test all week. tree →
- A sense of dread crept over the campers in the dark. tree →
- (literary) The dread dragon guarded the cave. tree →
- (informal) He has long dreads tied back with a band. tree →
- Then a great dread fell upon her. tree →
Note
Past «dreaded». Pattern: «dread + -ing» or «dread to think». Adjective «dreadful» means very bad. «Dread» rhymes with «bed».
In Jewish tradition
To feel great fear, especially of enemies or of God's anger. In Job and the Psalms it also names the fear that God's majesty puts into people, and a sudden terror.
Interpretation. Moses tells the people not to dread the enemy, because God fights for them. Tradition teaches that trust in God drives out fear, and that awe before God is right.
Examples
- Then I said unto you: 'Dread not, neither be afraid of them. (Torah DEU.1.29, JPS 1917) tree →
- For I was in dread of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. (Torah DEU.9.19, JPS 1917) tree →
- And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many; and Moab was overcome with dread because of the children of Israel. (Torah NUM.22.3, JPS 1917) tree →
- Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden dread affrighted thee, (Writings JOB.22.10, JPS 1917) tree →
- Shall not His majesty terrify you, and His dread fall upon you? (Writings JOB.13.11, JPS 1917) tree →
- Turn away my reproach which I dread; for Thine ordinances are good. (Writings PSA.119.39, JPS 1917) tree →
Note
Past «dreaded». Pattern: «dread + -ing» or «dread to think». Adjective «dreadful» means very bad. «Dread» rhymes with «bed».
Early Modern English
Meaning
To be very afraid of something that will happen; as a noun, great fear. tree →
Then and now
Today "dread" is mostly a noun for fear, and the verb sounds old-fashioned. "Dread not" is an old form of "don't be afraid."
Examples
- Then I said unto you: 'Dread not, neither be afraid of them. (Torah DEU.1.29, JPS 1917) tree →
- Then a great dread fell upon her. (Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen) tree →
- For I was in dread of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. (Torah DEU.9.19, JPS 1917) tree →
Note
Today: fear, be scared.
On Mova
- Trees and pragmatics of «dread» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- «dread» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
- Trees and pragmatics of «dread» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- «dread» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.
- Trees and pragmatics of «dread» in the Early Modern English dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- «dread» in the Early Modern English dictionary on Mova free.
This page in Markdown → https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/dread/