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Origin and history of threatening

threatening(adj.)

1520s, "portending no good; indicating or containing a threat," present-participle adjective from threat (v.). Related: Threateningly. In a Middle English glossary early 15c. Latin minax (adj.) is rendered by threati.

also from 1520s

Entries linking to threatening

threaten(v.)

late 13c., thretenen, "use threats, attempt to influence by menacing, make intimidating actions," from Old English þreatnian "to threaten," from þreat (see threat). Related: Threatened; threatening. Threatened, specifically in reference to wild species in danger of extinction is by 1960. Earlier verb was threat, now archaic, from Old English þreatian.

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