metuo

Metuo is a Latin verb meaning to fear, to dread, or to be afraid. It is used to express concern about a person, thing, or future event, and it can take either a direct object in the accusative or a dependent clause introduced by ne or ut. The word is associated with the noun metus, which denotes fear or dread.

Etymology and usage notes: Metuo derives from the Latin root metu-, linked to the noun metus. In classical Latin it is common to pair metuo with the object feared, as in metuo mortem “I fear death,” or with a subordinate clause such as ne id fiat “that this may not happen” or ut id eveniat “that this may happen.” The verb is regularly employed in both present and past contexts and appears in the literature of various authors to convey anxiety, caution, or dread.

Conjugation overview: Metuo belongs to the third conjugation. In the present active indicative the forms are typically given as metuo, metuis, metuit, metuimus, metuitis, metuunt. The imperfect and perfect tenses follow standard Latin patterns for this conjugation, with the perfect generally formed as metuī. The passive voice is not commonly used with metuo, as fear is typically expressed actively.

Related terms: The noun metus (“fear, dread”) is derived from the same root and frequently appears in Latin literature to discuss apprehension or danger. Metuo is often contrasted with timeo, another common Latin verb meaning “to fear,” with subtle nuances in usage.

See also: timeo; metus; ut/ne clauses in Latin; Latin verbs of fearing.