threat
/θrɛt/
noun
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*threatō — affliction, oppression
Overview
Meaning Now
- A statement of an intention to inflict pain, injury, damage, or other hostile action on someone in retribution for something done or not done.
- A person or thing likely to cause damage or danger.
- The expression of an intention to inflict evil, injury, or damage.
Language path
Proto-Germanic → Old English → English
Earliest form
thréat
Earliest period
Old English (before 12th century)
Journey
The word originally referred to physical pressure or 'crowding' (cognate with 'throng'), reflecting the idea of being hemmed in by an oppressor. Over time, the physical sense of being crowded out evolved into the metaphorical sense of being pressured by words or threats of harm.
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*threatō
“oppression or crowding”
- Old English
thréat
“oppression, trouble, crowd”
Represented the act of crowding or pressing upon someone.
- Middle English
threat
“a declaration of hostile intent”
- Modern English
threat
“an expression of hostile intent or potential danger”
Connections
Word parts
threat
root
pressure/hostile intent
Related across languages
Old Saxon
throtian
to oppress
Old High German
drozzōn
to press, to crowd
Explore next
Related to threat
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.