fear*/*/*/

[fɪə] noun I

1) [U] the feeling that you have when you are frightened

She eventually managed to overcome her fear of the dark.[/ex]

Martin screamed in fear.[/ex]

She was shaking with fear.[/ex]

Many of these people live in fear (= are afraid all the time).[/ex]

2) [C] something bad or unpleasant that you are afraid might happen

He expressed fears for his missing wife's safety.[/ex]

This latest case has raised fears of an epidemic.[/ex]

There are fears about the safety of the nuclear plant.[/ex]

There are fears that the building might collapse.[/ex]

•

for fear of (doing) sth; for fear (that) — in case you make something bad happen[/ex]

I didn't tell Susan about our meeting for fear of upsetting her.[/ex]

no fear — British informal used for saying that you definitely do not intend to do something[/ex]

II

verb [T]

fear */*/[fɪə]

1) to feel worried and afraid that something bad will happen

The refugees fear persecution if they return to their own country.[/ex]

One person is still missing, feared dead.[/ex]

Health experts fear that a flu epidemic will hit Britain this winter.[/ex]

2) to feel afraid of someone or something because they might harm you

He was hated and feared by his colleagues.[/ex]

•

- fear for sb/sth