threat

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   declaration of an intention or a determination to inflict harm on another

   Their threat to kill me was quite explicit.

2. 2
   noun

   a warning that something unpleasant is imminent

   they were under threat of arrest

3. 3
   noun

   something that is a source of danger

   earthquakes are a constant threat in Japan

4. 4
   noun

   An expression of intent to injure or punish another.

   There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats.

5. 5
   noun

   An indication of potential or imminent danger.

   Verifying and addressing actual threats is not paranoia.

6. 6
   noun

   A person or object that is regarded as a danger; a menace.

   Rooney's United team-mate Chris Smalling was given his debut at right-back and was able to adjust to the international stage in relatively relaxed fashion as Bulgaria barely posed a threat of any consequence.

7. 7
   verb

   To threaten.

   An hideous Geant horrible and hye, / That with his talnesse seemd to threat the skye […]

8. 8
   noun

   a person who inspires fear or dread

Etymology

From Middle English threten, from Old English þrēatian (“to press, oppress, repress, correct, threaten”), derived from Proto-Indo-European *trewd- (“to squeeze, push, press”). Cognate with Scots threit (“to threaten”), Dutch verdrieten (“to sadden, displease”), Middle Low German drēten (“to threaten”), German verdrießen (“to bother, vex”), Faroese tróta (“to run out”), Icelandic þrjóta (“to run out, end”), Norwegian tryte (“to run out, end”), Swedish tryda (“to run out”), Gothic 𐌿𐍃𐌸𐍂𐌹𐌿𐍄𐌰𐌽 (usþriutan, “to harass, torment”), Latin trūdō (“to push”), Albanian ndrydh (“to sprain, supress, withdraw…