[f. as prec. + -ING2.] That fears; often in comb. with prefixed object, as in ghost-, God-fearing: see the sbs.
1837. Ht. Martineau, Soc. Amer., III. 14. The aristocratic is universally the fearing, while the democratic is the hoping, party.
Hence Fearingly adv., † a. in a terrifying manner (obs.); b. with fear, timidly.
1556. J. Heywood, Spider & F., lviii.
| Which shall make thant ieperd much by affection, | |
| In spightful woordes to comfort spiders spightfully, | |
| Rather then discomfort them thus fearingly. |
1820. Keats, Lamia, 247.
| He did; not with cold wonder fearingly, | |
| But Orpheus-like at an Eurydice. |
1845. R. W. Hamilton, Pop. Educ., viii. (ed. 2), 198. The Conformist was but faintly attached to it, and fearingly doubted its consequences.
