deter

views updated May 29 2018

de·ter / diˈtər/ • v. (-terred, -ter·ring) [tr.] discourage (someone) from doing something, typically by instilling doubt or fear of the consequences: only a health problem would deter him from seeking reelection. ∎  prevent the occurrence of: strategists think not only about how to deter war, but about how war might occur.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

deter

views updated May 18 2018

deter XVI. — L. dēterrēre, f. DE- 2 + terrēre frighten.
So deterrent XIX.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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