n.
Pronunciation: di- ' t ə r- ə n(t)s, - ' ter-; - ' t ə -r ə n(t)s, - ' te-; d ē -
Function: noun
Date: 1861
: the act or process of deterring: as a : the inhibition of criminal behavior by fear especially of punishment b : the maintenance of military power for the purpose of discouraging attack