/ dɪˈtɜː(r); NAmE / verb
( -rr- ) deter sb (from sth / from doing sth) to make sb decide not to do sth or continue doing sth, especially by making them understand the difficulties and unpleasant results of their actions :
[ vn ]
I told him I wasn't interested, but he wasn't deterred.
The high price of the service could deter people from seeking advice.
[also v ]
—see also deterrent
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: from Latin deterrere , from de- away from + terrere frighten.