Dread v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dreaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Dreading.]  To fear in a great degree; to regard, or look forward to, with terrific apprehension.
     When at length the moment dreaded through so many years came close, the dark cloud passed away from Johnson's mind.   --Macaulay.
  dreaded
       adj : causing fear or dread or terror; "the awful war"; "an awful
             risk"; "dire news"; "a career or vengeance so direful
             that London was shocked"; "the dread presence of the
             headmaster"; "polio is no longer the dreaded disease it
             once was"; "a dreadful storm"; "a fearful howling";
             "horrendous explosions shook the city"; "a terrible
             curse" [syn: awful, dire, direful, dread(a), dreadful,
              fearful, fearsome, frightening, horrendous, horrific,
              terrible]