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deterrent

 - 2 dictionary results

de⋅ter⋅rent

  [di-tur-uhnt, -tuhr-, -ter-]
Use deterrent in a Sentence
–adjective
1. serving or tending to deter.
–noun
2. something that deters: a deterrent to crime.
3. military strength or an ability to defend a country or retaliate strongly enough to deter an enemy from attacking.
Origin:
1820–30; < L dēterrent- (s. of dēterrēns), prp. of dēterrēre. See deter, -ent

Related forms:
de⋅ter⋅rent⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
2. restraint, curb, check, hindrance.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To deterrent
de·ter·rent   (dĭ-tûr'ənt, -tŭr'-)   
adj.  Tending to deter: deterrent weapons.
n.  

  1. Something that deters: a deterrent to theft.

  2. A retaliatory means of discouraging enemy attack: a nuclear deterrent.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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