Obs. Forms: 4–5 ferdful(l, feerdful, (4 fertful), 5 ferdefull, ferdfulle. [f. FERD sb.2 + -FUL.]
1. objectively. Inspiring fear; awsome, dreadful; = FEARFUL 1.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 21. Who is þee liik in stalworþnes, Lord? who is þee liik, worschipful in holynes, feerdful and preisable and doinge wondris? Ibid. (1388), Dan. ii. 31. The loking therof [the ymage] was ferdful.
1414. Brampton, Penit. Ps. xl. (Percy Soc.), 16. Lord!… Thi ferdefull face whan I schal se.
1488. Caxton, Chast. Goddes Chyld., 89. It was full harde & ferdfull to hym [Peter] to be wyth cryst in his cruel persecucyon.
2. subjectively. Full of fear; timorous. Also, Cautious through fear (of offending); wary. Cf. FEARFUL 3.
1382. Wyclif, Prov. xxviii. 14. Blisful the man that euermore is ferdful.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., V. xxxvi. (1495), 151. The man is beraft boldenes and hardenes and is fertful.
14[?]. Hoccleve, Ad beatam Virginem, 47. Hir ferdful shame, hir shende wole.
c. 1489. Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, ix. 249. Now shew ye well that ye be ferdfull.
a. 1502. in Arnolde, Chron. (1811), 264. I knowe myself so ferdful for defaute of comyng.
Hence Ferdfulness = FEARFULNESS.
1388. Wyclif, Ezek. xxxii. 23. Alle … fallynge doun bi swerd, whiche ȝauen sum tyme her ferdfulnesse in the lond of lyuinge men.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., VIII. i. (1495), 296. The worlde is place … of ferdfulnes and of shame.
14[?]. Prose Legends, in Anglia, VIII. 143. Hee [þe feend] myghte caste hir downe in to dispayre by ferdefulnesse and vnordynate drede.
