( formal ) with the threat of having sth done to you as a punishment if you do not obey :
They were required to cut pollution levels, on pain of a £10 000 fine if they disobeyed.
( formal ) with the threat of having sth done to you as a punishment if you do not obey :
They were required to cut pollution levels, on pain of a £10 000 fine if they disobeyed.
Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary. Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне. 2005