fearfulness
(ˈfɪəfʊlnɪs)
[f. as prec. + -ness.]
1. The quality of inspiring fear; dreadfulness.
| 1535 Coverdale 2 Macc. xv. 23 Sende now also thy good angell before vs (o Lorde) in the fearfulnesse..of thy mightie arme. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. Turkie ii. xv. 50 A great Earthquake..with horrible fearfulnesse and damage. 1831 Pote Assassins of Paradise 18 Its very fearfulness the sound endeared. 1846 Trench Mirac. xxix. (1862) 410 He beheld death in all its fearfulness. |
2. The quality or state of being affected with fear; timidity, timorousness. Const. of.
| 1494 Fabyan Chron. vi. clxxxi. 180 The lordes..went vnto the kynge..and blamed as they durste his ferefulnesse. 1535 Coverdale Ezek. xxx. 13 A fearfulnesse will I sende in to the Egipcians londe. 1562 Turner Baths 8 These bathes..are good for fearfulnes of the hart. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. §47 Is it credible that..our professed fearefulness to ask anything..should be noted for a popish error. 1651 Davenant Gondibert iii. i. 232 With a Lover's fearfulness he spake. 1666 South Serm. 25 Nov., A third thing..is fearfulness of..bold, popular offenders. 1727 Swift Gulliver ii. iii. 125, I was frequently rallied..on account of my fearfulness. 1841 Myers Cath. Th. iv. §46. 411 We cannot but be protected from all fearfulness of spiritual despotism. |