What is the difference between menace and threat?
menace | threat |
a perceived threat or danger
* Dryden
the act of threatening
an annoying and bothersome person
To make threats against (someone); to intimidate.
* Shakespeare
To threaten (an evil to be inflicted).
* Shakespeare
To endanger (someone or something); to imperil or jeopardize.
An expression of intent to injure or punish another.
* (William Shakespeare)
An indication of imminent danger.
* {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=May-June, author=
, title= A person or object that is regarded as a danger; a menace.
* {{quote-news, year=2011, date=September 2, author=Phil McNulty, work=BBC
, title= (label) To press; urge; compel.
(archaic) To threaten.
* 1590 , Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene , I.vii:
* 1599 , , V. i. 37:
(label) To use threats; act or speak menacingly; threaten.
As nouns the difference between menace and threat
is that menace is a perceived threat or danger while threat is an expression of intent to injure or punish another.As verbs the difference between menace and threat
is that menace is to make threats against (someone); to intimidate while threat is to press; urge; compel.menace
English
Etymology 1
First attested ante 1300: from the (etyl) manace, menace, from the (etyl) .Noun
(menaces)- the dark menace of the distant war
References
* “menace, n.'']” listed in the '' [2nd Ed.; 1989
Etymology 2
First attested in 1303: from the (etyl) menacer, manecier, manechier and the (etyl) manasser, from the assumed , whence .Verb
(transitive'' or ''intransitive )- to menace a country with war
- My master did menace me with death.
- By oath he menaced / Revenge upon the cardinal.
References
* “menace, v.'']” listed in the ''Oxford English Dictionary [2nd Ed.; 1989 ----
threat
English
Etymology 1
From (etyl) (m), (m), (m), .Noun
(en noun)- There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats .
Katrina G. Claw
Rapid Evolution in Eggs and Sperm, volume=101, issue=3, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Many genes with reproductive roles also have antibacterial and immune functions, which indicate that the threat of microbial attack on the sperm or egg may be a major influence on rapid evolution during reproduction.}}
Bulgaria 0-3 England, passage=Rooney's United team-mate Chris Smalling was given his debut at right-back and was able to adjust to the international stage in relatively relaxed fashion as Bulgaria barely posed a threat of any consequence.}}
Etymology 2
From (etyl) (m), from (etyl) .Verb
(en verb)- An hideous Geant horrible and hye, / That with his talnesse seemd to threat the skye
- O yes, and soundless too; / For you have stolen their buzzing, Antony, / And very wisely threat before you sting.