The word "dread" is spelled as /drɛd/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The "d" is pronounced with a voiced dental plosive sound, followed by the "r" pronounced with an alveolar approximant sound. The "e" is pronounced with a mid-front unrounded vowel sound, followed by the "d" sound again. This word is often associated with a feeling of intense fear or apprehension. Proper spelling is necessary for clear communication and understanding of the intended meaning of the word.
Dread is an overwhelming feeling of fear, anxiety, or apprehension towards something, often accompanied by a sense of impending doom or a deep sense of unease. It is a complex emotion characterized by a profound dreadfulness and a strong aversion towards a particular situation, event, object, or even an abstract concept.
Often described as a deep and intense fear, dread can paralyze individuals and hinder their ability to think or act rationally. It is usually associated with terrifying or threatening scenarios, such as imminent danger, extreme pain, or death. However, dread can also be evoked by less severe circumstances, such as public speaking, examinations, or social interactions.
The sensation of dread is typically accompanied by physical manifestations, including a racing heart, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, a feeling of nausea, and a heightened state of alertness. These physiological responses are the body's natural reaction to stress and danger, preparing individuals for fight or flight.
Moreover, dread often involves a deep feeling of helplessness and an overwhelming sense of foreboding, creating a deep-rooted reluctance or resistance towards confronting or approaching the source of fear. It can be a persistent and all-encompassing emotion that lingers in the mind and influences decision-making and behavior.
Overall, dread encapsulates the intense fear and profound apprehension that arises when faced with threatening, distressing, or unsettling situations, producing an overwhelming and paralyzing emotional response.
To fear greatly, to apprehend. 2. An extreme fear or apprehension.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
• Great fear; apprehension of evil or danger; fear united with awe; the person or thing feared.
• Exciting fear; venerable in a very high degree; awful; terrible.
• To fear greatly; to be in great fear.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "dread" comes from the Old English "drǣdan", which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*draudanan". This Proto-Germanic word further originates from the Proto-Indo-European root "*dreo-" meaning "to run", "to move quickly", or "to flow". Over time, the meaning of "dread" evolved to refer to a feeling of great fear or apprehension.