[di-tur] 
| 1. | to discourage or restrain from acting or proceeding: The large dog deterred trespassers. |
| 2. | to prevent; check; arrest: timber treated with creosote to deter rot. |
| de·ter (dĭ-tûr') v. de·terred, de·ter·ring, de·ters v. tr. To prevent or discourage from acting, as by means of fear or doubt: "Does negotiated disarmament deter war?" (Edward Teller). See Synonyms at dissuade. v. intr. To prevent or discourage the occurrence of an action, as by means of fear or doubt: "It's this edge that gives nuclear weapons their power to deter" (Thomas Powers). [Latin dēterrēre : dē-, de- + terrēre, to frighten.] de·ter'ment n., de·ter'ra·ble adj., de·ter'rer n. |
