threat

Meanings

Noun

• An expression of intent to injure or punish another.
• An indication of potential or imminent danger.
• A person or object that is regarded as a danger; a menace.

Verb

• To press; urge; compel.
• To threaten.
• To use threats; act or speak menacingly; threaten.

Origin

• From Middle English threte, thret, thrat, thræt, threat, from Old English þrēat, from Proto-Germanic *þrautaz, closely tied to Proto-Germanic *þrautą, from Proto-Indo-European *trewd-, whence also Middle Low German drōt, Middle High German drōz, Icelandic þraut, Latin trūdō.
• From Middle English threten, from Old English þrēatian ("to press, oppress, repress, correct, threaten"). Akin to Middle Dutch drōten.