threat
[thret]
Show IPA–noun
1.
a declaration of an intention or determination to inflictpunishment, injury, etc., in retaliation for, or conditionallyupon, some action or course; menace: He confessed underthe threat of imprisonment.
2.
an indication or warning of probable trouble: The threat of astorm was in the air.
3.
a person or thing that threatens.
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
4.
Origin:
before 900; (noun) Middle English threte, Old English thrēat pressure, oppression; cognate with Old Norse thraut hardship,bitter end; (v.) Middle English threten, Old English thrēatian topress, threaten
before 900; (noun) Middle English threte, Old English thrēat pressure, oppression; cognate with Old Norse thraut hardship,bitter end; (v.) Middle English threten, Old English thrēatian topress, threaten
—Related forms
coun·ter·threat, noun
