Danger \Dan"ger\, n. [OE. danger, daunger, power, arrogance,
refusal, difficulty, fr. OF. dagier, dongier (with same
meaning), F. danger danger, fr. an assumed LL. dominiarium
power, authority, from L. dominium power, property. See
Dungeon, Domain, Dame.]
1. Authority; jurisdiction; control. [Obs.]
In dangerhad he . . . the young girls. --Chaucer.
2. Power to harm; subjection or liability to penalty. [Obs.]
See In one's danger, below.
You stand within his danger, do you not? --Shak.
Covetousness of gains hath brought [them] in
dangerof this statute. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
3. Exposure to injury, loss, pain, or other evil; peril;
risk; insecurity.
4. Difficulty; sparingness. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
5. Coyness; disdainful behavior. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
In one's danger, in one's power; liable to a penalty to be
inflicted by him. [Obs.]
This sense is retained in the
proverb, ``Out of debt out of danger.''
Those rich man in whose debt and danger they be not.
--Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
To do danger, to cause danger. [Obs.]
--Shak.
Syn: Peril; hazard; risk; jeopardy.
Usage: Danger, Peril, Hazard, Risk, Jeopardy.
Danger is the generic term, and implies some
contingent evil in prospect. Peril is instant or
impending danger; as, in peril of one's life. Hazard
arises from something fortuitous or beyond our
control; as, the hazard of the seas. Risk is doubtful
or uncertain danger, often incurred voluntarily; as,
to risk an engagement. Jeopardy is extreme danger.
Danger of a contagious disease; the perils of
shipwreck; the hazards of speculation; the risk of
daring enterprises; a life brought into jeopardy.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
|