† misdreadn.
Obsolete. rare.
Fear or dread of evil.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > fear of particular things > [noun] > fear of evil
misdread1609
1609 W. Shakespeare Pericles ii. 12 The passions of the mind, That haue their first conception by misdread . View more context for this quotation
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2002; most recently modified version published online June 2018).
† misdreadv.
Obsolete.
1. transitive (reflexive) and intransitive. To have fear, be in dread.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > quality of terror or horror > have fear or be in dread [verb (reflexive)]
misdreada1375
the mind > emotion > fear > quality of terror or horror > be terrified [verb (intransitive)]
fordreadc1175
dreada1240
breec1375
tremblec1475
misdread1597
to sweat blood1924
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 1567 (MED) Misdrede ȝow neuer; I wil fulfille alle forwardes feiþli in dede.
1597 Bp. J. Hall Defiance to Enuy in Virgidemiarum: 1st 3 Bks. sig. A4 Needs me then hope, or doth me need mis-dread.
a1689 W. Cleland Coll. Poems (1697) 106 Altho they did not use such deeds, You know the guilty still misdreads.
2. transitive. To dread, be in mortal fear of.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > apprehension > be apprehensive [verb (transitive)]
mishopea1250
misforgivea1425
suspect1509
misgivea1535
mistrust1535
to have one's heart in one's mouth1548
misdread1566
fear1600
apprehend1609
1566 T. Drant tr. Horace Medicinable Morall iii Beinge owner, durste not take, one graine, (misdreadinge waste).
1576 B. Googe tr. ‘M. Palingenius’ Zodiake (new ed.) iv. 51 When Phaeton rulde not wel the firy foming beasts, (Misdreding sore the monsters highe)..vnhappy wretch was dround in his desire.
1606 G. W. tr. Justinus Hist. xxxi. 104 To auoyd a mischiefe which he misdreaded.
1606 G. W. tr. Justinus Hist. xxxv. 113 Alexander..misdreding no hostility prepared against him at all.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2002; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
<
n.1609v.a1375