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v. scared, scar·ing, scares v.tr. To strike with sudden fear; alarm. See Synonyms at frighten. v.intr. To become frightened: a child who scares easily. n. 1. A condition or sensation of sudden fear: That mask gave me a real scare. 2. A general state of alarm; a panic: a bomb scare that necessitated evacuating the building. adj. Phrasal Verb: Serving or intended to frighten people: scare stories; scare tactics. scare up Informal To gather or prepare with considerable effort or ingenuity: managed to scare up some folding chairs for the unexpected crowd. [Middle English skerren, scaren, from Old Norse skirra, from skjarr, timid.] scarer n. |
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