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Threat vs Pitfall - What's the difference?

threat | pitfall |

As nouns the difference between threat and pitfall

is that threat is an expression of intent to injure or punish another while pitfall is a potential problem, hazard, or danger that is easily encountered but not immediately obvious.

As a verb threat

is (label) to press; urge; compel.

threat

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) (m), (m), (m), .

Noun

(en noun)
  • An expression of intent to injure or punish another.
  • * (William Shakespeare)
    • There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats .
  • An indication of imminent danger.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=May-June, author= Katrina G. Claw
    • , title= 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.}}
  • 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= 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.}}
    Related terms
    * threaten * threatening

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) (m), from (etyl) .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (label) To press; urge; compel.
  • (archaic) To threaten.
  • * 1590 , Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene , I.vii:
    • An hideous Geant horrible and hye, / That with his talnesse seemd to threat the skye
  • * 1599 , , V. i. 37:
    • O yes, and soundless too; / For you have stolen their buzzing, Antony, / And very wisely threat before you sting.
  • (label) To use threats; act or speak menacingly; threaten.

    • Anagrams

    * 1000 English basic words

    pitfall

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • a potential problem, hazard, or danger that is easily encountered but not immediately obvious.
    • It's usually a simple task, but you should know the pitfalls before you attempt it yourself.
  • A type of trap consisting of a concealed hole in the ground: victims fall into the hole and are unable to escape
  • (computing) An anti-pattern.

    • Synonyms

    * : trap * : anti-pattern, dark pattern

    Derived terms

    * pitfalled