Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AWE, n. [aw. Dan. ave, fear, awe, chastisement, discipline; aver, to chastise or correct; Gr. αγαω, to be astonished. Qu. Ir. agh; Sax. ege or oga, fear; Goth. agjan, or ogan, to dread. It would appear that the primary sense of the Dan. is to strike, or check.]

1. Fear mingled with admiration or reverence; reverential fear. Stand in awe and sin not. – Ps. iv.
2. Fear; dread inspired by something great, or terrific.