Fere \Fere\, n. [OE. fere companion, AS. gef[=e]ra, from f[=e]ran to go, travel, faran to travel. [root]78. See Fare.]

A mate or companion; -- often used of a wife. [Obs.]

[Written also fear and feere.]

--Chaucer.

And Cambel took Cambrina to his fere. --Spenser.

In fere, together; in company. [Obs.]

--Chaucer.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Fear \Fear\, n. A variant of Fere, a mate, a companion. [Obs.]

--Spenser.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Fear \Fear\, n. [OE. fer, feer, fere, AS. f?r a coming suddenly upon, fear, danger; akin to D. vaar, OHG. f[=a]ra danger, G. gefahr, Icel. f[=a]r harm, mischief, plague, and to E. fare, peril. See Fare.]

1. A painful emotion or passion excited by the expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger; apprehension; anxiety; solicitude; alarm; dread.

Note: The degrees of this passion, beginning with the most moderate, may be thus expressed, -- apprehension, fear, dread, fright, terror.

Fear is an uneasiness of the mind, upon the thought of future evil likely to befall us. --Locke.

Where no hope is left, is left no fear. --Milton.

2. (Script.)
   (a) Apprehension of incurring, or solicitude to avoid, God's wrath; the trembling and awful reverence felt toward the Supreme Belng.
   (b) Respectful reverence for men of authority or worth.

I will put my fear in their hearts. --Jer. xxxii. 40.

I will teach you the fear of the Lord. --Ps. xxxiv. 11.

render therefore to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due . . . fear to whom fear. --Rom. xiii. 7.

3. That which causes, or which is the object of, apprehension or alarm; source or occasion of terror; danger; dreadfulness.

There were they in great fear, where no fear was. --Ps. liii. 5.

The fear of your adventure would counsel you to a more equal enterprise. --Shak.

For fear, in apprehension lest. ``For fear you ne'er see chain nor money more.'' --Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Fear \Fear\, v. i. To be in apprehension of evil; to be afraid; to feel anxiety on account of some expected evil.

I exceedingly fear and quake. --Heb. xii. 21.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Fear \Fear\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Feared; p. pr. & vb. n. Fearing.]

[OE. feren, faeren, to frighten, to be afraid, AS. f?ran to terrify. See Fear, n.]

1. To feel a painful apprehension of; to be afraid of; to consider or expect with emotion of alarm or solicitude.

I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. --Ps. xxiii. 4.

Note: With subordinate clause.

I greatly fear my money is not safe. --Shak.

I almost fear to quit your hand. --D. Jerrold.

2. To have a reverential awe of; to solicitous to avoid the displeasure of.

Leave them to God above; him serve and fear. --Milton.

3. To be anxious or solicitous for. [R.]

The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children, therefore . . . I fear you. --Shak.

4. To suspect; to doubt. [Obs.]

Ay what else, fear you not her courage? --Shak.

5. To affright; to terrify; to drive away or prevent approach of by fear. [Obs.]

fear their people from doing evil. --Robynsin (More's utopia).

Tush, tush! fear boys with bugs. --Shak.

Syn: To apprehend; dread; reverence; venerate.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)