from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.]
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In dangerhad he . . . the young girls. --Chaucer.
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2. Power to harm; subjection or liability to penalty. [Obs.]
See {In one's danger}, below.
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You stand within his danger, do you not? --Shak.
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Covetousness of gains hath brought [them] in
dangerof this statute. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia).
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3. Exposure to injury, loss, pain, or other evil; peril;
risk; insecurity.
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4. Difficulty; sparingness. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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5. Coyness; disdainful behavior. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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{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."
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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.
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