As a noun, it is a strong feeling of fear or anxiety about something that may happen. As a verb, it means to be very afraid of or worried about a future event.
From Old English 'ondrædan' meaning 'to fear, to advise against', possibly from 'on-' plus 'drǣdan' meaning 'to counsel, advise'. Over time, the advising sense faded and the fear sense remained. The modern form 'dread' developed through Middle English 'dreden'.
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