Definition for AW'FUL

AW'FUL, a. [awe and full.]

  1. That strikes with awe; that fills with profound reverence; as, the awful majesty of Jehovah.
  2. That fills with terror and dread; as, the awful approach of death.
  3. Struck with awe; scrupulous. A weak and awful reverence for antiquity. – Watts. Shakspeare uses it for worshipful, inspiring respect by authority or dignity. Our common people use this word in the sense of frightful, ugly, detestable.

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