pre threaten

verb (used with object)

to utter a threat against; menace: He threatened the boy with a beating.

to be a menace or source of danger to: Sickness threatened her peace of mind.

to offer (a punishment, injury, etc.) by way of a threat: They threatened swift retaliation.

to give an ominous indication of: The clouds threaten rain.

verb (used without object)

to utter or use threats.

to indicate impending evil or mischief.

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Pre threaten is always a great word to know.

So is callithumpian. Does it mean:

a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.

a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.

LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

Origin:
before 1000; Middle English thretnen, Old English thrēatnian, derivative of thrēat pressure, oppression. See threat, -en¹

Related forms

threat·en·er, noun

out·threat·en, verb (used with object)

pre·threat·en, verb (used with object)

re·threat·en, verb

Synonyms
2. endanger.

Antonyms
2. protect, defend.

Link To pre threaten

Collins

World English Dictionary

threaten (ˈθrɛt^ən)

—vb
1.	(tr) to be a threat to
2.	to be a menacing indication of (something); portend: dark clouds threatened rain
3.	(when tr, may take a clause as object) to express a threat to (a person or people)

'threatener

—n

'threatening

—*adj*

'threateningly

—*adv*

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Matching Quote

"The family is constantly changing, as each member changes. Some changes we recognize as developments, and the pleasure they bring usually makes us more adaptable. Some changes threaten, or disappoint other members, who may try to resist the change, or punish someone for changing."

-Terri Apter

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