Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Danger?

\Dan"ger\, n. [OE. danger, daunger, power, arrogance, refusal, difficulty, fr. OF. dagier, dongier (with same meaning), F. danger danger, fr. an assumed LL. dominiarium power, authority, from L. dominium power, property. See {Dungeon}, {Domain}, {Dame}.] 1. Authority; jurisdiction; control. [Obs.] In dangerhad he . . . the young girls. --Chaucer. 2. Power to harm; subjection or liability to penalty. [Obs.] See {In one's danger}, below. You stand within his danger, do you not? --Shak. Covetousness of gains hath brought [them] in dangerof this statute. --Robynson (More's Utopia). 3. Exposure to injury, loss, pain, or other evil; peril; risk; insecurity. 4. Difficulty; sparingness. [Obs.] --Chaucer. 5. Coyness; disdainful behavior. [Obs.] --Chaucer. {In one's danger}, in one's power; liable to a penalty to be inflicted by him. [Obs.] This sense is retained in the proverb, ``Out of debt out of danger.'' Those rich man in whose debt and danger they be not. --Robynson (More's Utopia). {To do danger}, to cause danger. [Obs.] --Shak. Syn: Peril; hazard; risk; jeopardy. Usage: {Danger}, {Peril}, {Hazard}, {Risk}, {Jeopardy}. Danger is the generic term, and implies some contingent evil in prospect. Peril is instant or impending danger; as, in peril of one's life. Hazard arises from something fortuitous or beyond our control; as, the hazard of the seas. Risk is doubtful or uncertain danger, often incurred voluntarily; as, to risk an engagement. Jeopardy is extreme danger. Danger of a contagious disease; the perils of shipwreck; the hazards of speculation; the risk of daring enterprises; a life brought into jeopardy.
\Dan"ger\, v. t. To endanger. [Obs.] --Shak.