/thret/ , n.
1. a declaration of an intention or determination to inflict punishment, injury, etc., in retaliation for, or conditionally upon, some action or course; menace: He confessed under the threat of imprisonment.
2. an indication or warning of probable trouble: The threat of a storm was in the air.
3. a person or thing that threatens.
v.t. , v.i.
4. Archaic. to threaten.
[ bef. 900; (n.) ME threte, OE threat pressure, oppression; c. ON thraut hardship, bitter end; (v.) ME threten, OE threatian to press, threaten ]