Awe is a feeling of fear that is mixed with respect and wonder. When the US invaded Iraq in 1991, the military bombing campaign was called shock and awe––it was supposed to shock the Iraqis into fearing and respecting the superior US fire power.
Awe dates back to Middle English, and was borrowed from Old Norse, a Scandinavian language. In Middle English the word referred to intense fear. The related English word awful originally meant "full of or causing intense fear." And awesome, which originally meant "inspiring awe" now is used generally as a synonym for excellent.
