† ˈferdful Obs.
Forms: 4–5 ferdful(l, feerdful, (4 fertful), 5 ferdefull, ferdfulle.
[f. ferd n.2 + -ful.]
1. objectively. Inspiring fear; awsome, dreadful; = fearful 1.
| c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 21 Who is þee liik in stalworþnes, Lord?..feerdful and preisable and doinge wondris? 1388 ― Dan. ii. 31 The loking therof [the ymage] was ferdful. 1414 Brampton Penit. Ps. xl. (Percy Soc.) 16 Lord!.. Thi ferdefull face whan I schal se. 1488 Caxton Chast. Goddes Chyld. 89 It was..ferdfull to Peter for to be wyth cryst in his cruel persecucyon. |
2. subjectively. Full of fear; timorous. Also, Cautious through fear (of offending); wary. Cf. fearful 3.
| 1382 Wyclif Prov. xxviii. 14 Blisful the man that euer⁓more is ferdful. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. v. xxxvi. (1495) 151 The man is beraft boldenes and hardenes and is fertful. 14.. Hoccleve Ad beatam Virginem 47 Hir ferdful shame, hir shende wole. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon ix. 249 Now shew ye well that ye be ferdfull. a 1502 in Arnolde Chron. (1811) 264, I knowe myself so ferdful for defaute of comyng. |
Hence ˈferdfulness = fearfulness.
| 1388 Wyclif Ezek. xxxii. 23 Alle..fallynge doun bi swerd, whiche ȝauen sum tyme her ferdfulnesse in the lond of lyuinge men. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. viii. i. (1495) 296 The worlde is place..of ferdfulnes and of shame. 14.. Prose Legends in Anglia VIII. 143 [The fiend] caste hir downe in to dispayre by ferdefulnesse. |