Dread"ful (?), a.
1. Full of dread or terror; fearful. [Obs.] "With dreadful heart."
Chaucer.
2. Inspiring dread; impressing great fear; fearful; terrible; as, a dreadful storm. " Dreadful gloom."
Milton.
For all things are less dreadful than they seem.
Wordsworth.
3. Inspiring awe or reverence; awful. [Obs.] "God's dreadful law."
Shak.
Syn. -- Fearful; frightful; terrific; terrible; horrible; horrid; formidable; tremendous; awful; venerable. See Frightful.
© Webster 1913. | 
