dangern.adj.
/ˈdeɪn(d)ʒə/, U.S. /ˈdeɪndʒər/ A. n.† 2. † 3. A place where one is at the mercy of an enemy; a narrow pass; a strait. Obsolete.† 6. Mischief, harm, damage. Obsolete.† 7. The lordship over a forest; the rent paid in acknowledgement of this (so Old French dangier). ‘In the Forest-Law, a duty paid by the Tenants to the Lord for leave to plough and sow in the time of Pannage, or Mast-feeding’ (Phillips 1706). Obsolete.† 8. to make danger: in 17th cent. used in sense of Latin periculum facere, to make trial or experiment; to venture, ‘risk it’. Obsolete.Perhaps the phrase in sense A. 2 taken in a new sense.
1. † a. Power of a lord or master, jurisdiction, dominion; power to dispose of, or to hurt or harm; esp. in in (a person's) danger, within his power or at his mercy; sometimes meaning spec. in his debt, or under obligation to him. Obsolete or archaic.† b. Power (of a person, weapon, or missile) to inflict physical injury; reach or range. Also figurative.† c. Power of another as it affects one under it; a state of subjection, bondage, or captivity. Obsolete.† d. Liability (to loss, punishment, etc.). in danger to or of: liable to. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > [noun] > chief authority or dominion
ealdordomeOE
lord-domeOE
lordshipeOE
aldershipOE
danger?c1225
seignioryc1290
demesnec1300
lordheada1325
lordshippingc1384
dominationc1386
subjectiona1393
signory?a1425
dominionc1430
signority1525
seigniority1596
dynasty1613
seigniorage1656
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 263 & þolieð ofte danger. of swich oðerhwile þe muchte beon ower þral.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 1751 Þat he wolde hom al out bringe of þe daunger of rome.
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 663 In daunger hadde he att his owene gyse The yonge gerles of the diocise.
1440 J. Shirley Cron. Dethe James Stewarde (1818) 19 Thou hadest nevyr mercy of lordes..ne of non other gentilman, that came yn thy dawnger.
1461 W. Lomnor in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 241 I am gretly yn your danger and dette for my pension.
1556 Ridley's Wks. (1843) 101 They put themselves in the danger of King Ahab, saying, ‘Behold we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are pitiful and merciful’.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 177 You stand within his danger, doe you not. View more context for this quotation
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 408 He..hauing got him within his danger, cruelly put him to death.
?1637 T. Hobbes tr. Aristotle Briefe Art Rhetorique i. xiii. 50 Persons obnoxious to Injury are..Such as are in our danger.
1825 W. Scott Betrothed xiv, in Tales Crusaders II. 293 If the Constable were once within his danger.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > [noun] > limit of distance or reach > for inflicting injury
danger1489
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iii. 43 To withdraw ws..Till we cum owt off yar daunger.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. clxii. 199 The archers shotte so holly togyder, that none durst come in their dangers.
1576 T. Newton tr. L. Lemnie Touchstone of Complexions i. iii. f. 25 Wythin the leuell and daunger of this vice, are al they [etc.].
1603 R. Knolles Gen. Hist. Turkes 679 If he should shew himself by troupes within the danger of the shot.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. iii. 35 Keepe you in the reare of your affection Out of the shot and danger of desire. View more context for this quotation
1618 S. Latham New & 2nd Bk. Falconrie xii. 42 Your Spaniels will hunt..so neere you and your Hawke, as they shall neuer spring any thing out of her danger.
1676 Doctr. of Devils 200 This draws the Birds into their Dangers.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > [noun]
dangera1375
subjectiona1398
subalternation1483
vassalry1594
subordination1595
vassalage1595
subordination1599
subordinacy1612
subserviency1646
subjectedness1647
subservience1648
vassalation1648
subduedness1653
subordinancy1680
subservientness1727
heteronomy1798
subordinateness1876
society > authority > subjection > slavery or bondage > [noun]
theowdomc893
thralshipc1200
thraldomc1275
thrallhead1297
servagec1300
thrall14..
bondage1330
dangera1375
servicea1382
servitutea1393
thaneheada1400
thrillagec1400
serviturea1422
servitudec1425
thrildomc1480
thirldom1489
thirlage1513
servilityc1530
slavedom1562
serviceage1594
bondmanship1611
bond-service1611
slaverya1616
slavishnessa1620
bond slavery1835
chattelship1857
chattelhood1871
thirl-band1871
thirl-service-
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 4227 Boute daunger or duresse or any despit elles.
c1420 Anturs of Arth. xxv Thynke one þe dawngere and the dole þat I in duelle [in hell].
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Biiv Fre from all captiuite & daunger.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. lviii. B Till..thou lowse him out of bondage, that is in thy daunger.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 6584 Troilus was..turnyt furth louse, And don out of daunger for the due tyme.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > operation upon something > [noun] > ability or liability to be affected
danger1377
subjection1593
susceptiblenessa1631
susceptibility1644
obnoxiety1656
obviousness1669
receptiveness1701
sensibility1703
affectibility1817
sensitiveness1825
impressionability1835
impressionality1884
affectability1908
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > [noun] > liability to harm, loss, etc.
danger1377
obnoxiousness1611
vulnerableness1727
vulnerability1808
assailableness1830
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > there is danger in a course of action [phrase] > in danger of
in point to (also of)c1330
in danger to or of1377
in were of1412
in weres to1804
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xii. 206 For he þat is ones a thef is euermore in daungere, And as lawe lyketh to lyue or to deye.
1465 J. Rising in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 309 Thei say that I am sufficient to bere the hole daunger.
1526 W. Tyndale Pathway Holy Script. in Wks. (1848) I. 9 The wretched man (that knoweth himself to be..in danger to death and hell).
1611 Bible (King James) Matt. v. 22 In danger of the iudgment. View more context for this quotation
1689 A. Wood Life Aug. 31 (Oxf. Hist. Soc.) A Gent. threatned to bring him into danger.
e. The phrase out of debt out of danger perhaps originally belonged here; but is now taken in sense A. 4.
ΚΠ
1736 N. Bailey et al. Dictionarium Britannicum (ed. 2) at Debt Out of Debt out of Danger.
1804 M. Edgeworth Pop. Tales I. 311 (title) Out of debt out of danger.
a. Difficulty (made or raised); hesitation, reluctance, chariness, stint, grudging; coyness. to make danger [ < Old French faire dangier (de)] : to make a difficulty (about doing anything). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > unwillingness > [noun]
un-i-willa1225
unlustc1230
dangerc1290
loathnessa1300
thronessa1400
grudgingc1420
nilling?a1425
unlustiness?a1425
loathinessc1449
difficulty?c1450
grudge1477
sticking1525
scruple1526
unreadiness1526
sweerness1533
dangerousness1548
untowardnessa1555
envy1557
loathsomeness1560
retractation1563
stickling1589
indisposition1593
loathfulness1596
backwardness1597
unwillingness1597
reluctation1598
offwardness1600
undisposedness1600
hinka1614
reluctancy1621
reluctancea1628
renitence1640
nolencea1651
nolencya1651
indisposedness1651
shyness1651
nolition1653
costiveness1654
sullenness1659
scrupling1665
regret1667
queerness1687
stickiness1689
disinclination1695
uneasinessa1715
tarditude1794
disclination1812
inalacrity1813
grudgingness1820
tarrowing1832
reticence1863
grudgery1889
balkiness1894
safety first1913
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 397/155 Sein eustas made gret daunger & natheles ate nende to þe emperour..he gan wende.
c1386 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Prol. 521 With danger uttren we all our chaffare.
c1400 Rom. Rose 1147 Gold and silver for to dispend Withouten lacking or daungere.
c1440 W. Hylton Scala Perfeccionis (1494) ii. x And our lorde made fyrste daungeour by cause she was an alyene.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 283 He but danger till him gais.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 219 They of Coloyne made grete daunger to lete passe the oost thrughe the Cite at brydge.
1526 A. Dalaber in J. Foxe Actes & Monuments (1570) 1368/2 I made daunger of it a while at first, but afterward beyng persuaded by them..I promised to do as they would haue me.
b. Untowardness; ungracious, uncompliant, or fractious conduct. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > unwillingness > [noun] > instance of
dangerc1374
nillc1450
stay1550
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > discourtesy > [noun] > disobligingness > ungracious or uncompliant conduct
dangerc1374
c1374 G. Chaucer Anelida & Arcite 186 Hir daunger made him booþe bowe and beende And as hir lyste made him tourne and wende.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6299 Wit þair danger, sir moyses [Trin. Cambr. wiþ her grucchynge on moyses], Oft þai did him haue malees.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, passage, or means of access to a place > [noun] > narrow passage or narrow part of passage
chare12..
danger1393
throata1522
creek1573
pass1712
push-through1888
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 208 In the daunger of a pas, Through which this tiraunt shulde pas She shope his power to compas.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 114 Daunger, or grete [ Pynson streyte] passage, arta via.
4. 1490 W. Caxton tr. Eneydos vi. 29 In dangeour of myserable deth.1690 J. Locke Two Treat. Govt. ii. xiv. §168 This..wise Princes never need come in the Danger of.1715 J. Richardson Ess. Theory of Painting 128 There was no danger of that in Rafaëlle.1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 373 They lost their way..and were in danger of having to pass the night on the plain.1579 T. North tr. Plutarch Liues 18 In daunger to dye.1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. 1 Sure to be misconstrued, and in danger to be condemned.1695 S. Patrick Comm. Genesis 293 It might have been in danger to have been neglected.
a. Liability or exposure to harm or injury; the condition of being exposed to the chance of evil; risk, peril. (Directly from sense A. 1; see esp. A. 1d. Now the main sense.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > [noun]
plighteOE
hauhtc1200
peril?c1225
wothea1300
werea1325
jeopardyc1374
menacea1400
thronga1400
jeopardc1400
unplighta1425
dangering1488
danger1490
periclitation1527
trance1588
apperila1616
periclitancy1650
imperilment1843
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xiv. 352 There is dangeour by cause of the nyghte.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxxxii. 253 Esclaramonde saw Huon her housebonde in that daunger.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Svpper of the Lorde f. cxxiii So is the daunger great, if wee receyue the same vnworthely.
1620 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote III. xli. 280 'Tis ordinarily said that Delay breeds Danger.
1789 A. Duncan Mariner's Chron. (1805) IV. 44 The sea running immensely high, it brought them again into great danger.
1822 W. Hazlitt Table-talk I. ix. 187 Danger is a good teacher, and makes apt scholars.
1874 J. T. Micklethwaite Mod. Parish Churches 186 It is also a source of danger to the building.
b. Const. (a) of that which is exposed to peril. (Now rare or archaic except with life.) (b) of the evil that threatens or impends. (Now the ordinary const.) †(c) to with infinitive. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xxii. 479 Elles they ben in daungeur of their lives.
1555 R. Eden in tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde Pref. sig. aiiij The Moores..possessed a greate parte of Spayne to no smaule daungioure of the hole Christian Empire.
c1676 Lady Chaworth in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 32 Lord Mohun..was four days in danger of lyfe but now is upon recovery.
1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture II. 105 b In gravel..there is no danger of finding water.
1894 N.E.D. at Danger Mod. He goes in danger of his life.
c. spec. on Railways. Risk in a train's proceeding owing to an obstruction, etc. on the line; the position of a signal indicating this.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > rail travel > railway system or organization > [noun] > types of signal system > specific signal
red light1790
danger1841
danger-signal1848
line clear1869
highball signal1894
starter1895
red board1903
stop signal1923
identification light1931
1841 Rep. Sel. Comm. Prevention Accidents Railways 34 in Parl. Papers VIII. 1 You think it would be desirable that on all railways red should indicate danger?
1874 Proc. Inst. Civil Engineers 38 149 A signal is said to be ‘on’, when it is at danger.
5.
a. (with a and plural) An instance or cause of danger; plural perils, risks.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > [noun] > instance or cause of
stone-rochec1200
perilc1300
doubta1400
Charybdisc1400
rocka1475
hazard1524
dangera1538
shelve1582
reef1841
kettle-de-benders1872
ankle-breaker1899
danger-spot1905
banana skin1907
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 29 Ful of manyfold peryllys & daungerys.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 25 To commit themselues vnto the daungers of the sea.
1859 A. Helps Friends in Council New Ser. I. Addr. to Rdr. 3 Blind to the dangers of their country.
1884 Times (Weekly ed.) 5 Sept. 3/2 Two territorial questions..unsettled..each of which was a positive danger to the peace of Europe.
b. Nautical. A submerged rock, or the like, causing danger to vessels.
ΚΠ
1699 W. Hacke Coll. Orig. Voy. iii. 59 At three quarters Ebb, you may see all the Dangers going in..But I would not advise any Man to go in till he has viewed the Harbour at low Water.
1858 Mercantile Marine Mag. 5 347 It appeared to him to be a detached danger, 6 or 9 feet under the surface.
1874 F. G. D. Bedford Sailor's Pocket Bk. v. 109 Buoys painted red and black are placed on detached dangers.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > [noun]
burstc1000
harmOE
scatheOE
teenOE
evil healc1175
waningc1175
hurt?c1225
quede?c1225
balec1275
damage1300
follyc1300
grill13..
ungain13..
torferc1325
eviltyc1330
wem1338
impairment1340
marring1357
unhend1377
sorrowc1380
pairingc1384
pairmentc1384
mischiefc1385
offencec1385
appairment1388
hindering1390
noyinga1398
bresta1400
envya1400
wemminga1400
gremec1400
wilc1400
blemishing1413
lesion?a1425
nocument?a1425
injuryc1430
mischieving1432
hindrance1436
detrimenta1440
ill1470
untroth1470
diversity1484
remordc1485
unhappinessc1485
grudge1491
wriguldy-wrag?1520
danger1530
dishort1535
perishment1540
wreaka1542
emperishment1545
impeachment1548
indemnity1556
impair1568
spoil1572
impeach1575
interestc1575
emblemishing1583
mishap1587
endamagement1593
blemishment1596
mischievance1600
damnificationa1631
oblesion1656
mishanter1754
vitiation1802
mar1876
jeel1887
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 212/1 Daunger on the see, navfraige.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 146 And he no daunger nor deire for þat dede haue.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 277 Then the king of his mere pity..suffered them to passe through his hoste without daunger.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 37 If you deny it, let the danger light vpon your charter. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) ii. i. 17 We put a Sting in him, That at his will he may doe danger with. View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > hire or rent > rent (land or real property) > [noun] > rents for specific types of property
watergavel1231
mead-gavel1235
fold-gabel1384
water-mail1395
house rent1427
stand mail1603
assartment1657
ground rent?1677
danger1693
mailing1725
1693 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 17 691 He ends this Treatise with an Enumeration of the Quit-rents formerly paid out of the Weald, as Gavel-swine, Scot-ale, Corredy, and Danger.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > undertake or set oneself to do [verb (intransitive)] > something risky
adventurea1375
assaya1400
to venture on1557
to make dangera1625
a1625 J. Fletcher Loyal Subj. iii. iv, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Eee3v Make danger, Trie what they are, trie.
a1625 J. Fletcher Wild-goose Chase (1652) i. ii. 6 I shall make danger.
a1625 J. Fletcher Humorous Lieut. iv. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) 138/2 Leon. Art thou so valiant? Lieu. Not absolutely so neither..Yet I'le make danger, Collonel.
Dangerous, perilous. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > [adjective]
plightlyOE
wothea1300
perilousc1300
wickeda1375
plightfula1400
dreadfulc1400
parlous?a1425
shrewd1482
danger1488
dangerous1490
periculous1533
dangerful1548
dangersome1567
craggy1582
perilsome1593
endangering1601
unsafe1621
imperilous1645
ugly1654
warm1726
neck-break1756
wanchancy1768
uncanny1785
unchancy1786
nasty1828
unhealthy1915
windy1919
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) viii. l. 202 We are our ner sic purpos for to tak; A danger chace thai mycht vpon ws mak.
Compounds
C1. General attributive (cf. sense A. 4.)
a.
danger-area n.
ΚΠ
1929 Star 21 Aug. 12/4 The gas leak..which made a portion of New Bridge-street a ‘danger area’.
1939 News Rev. 30 Nov. 10 Sandringham is a ‘danger area’ inasmuch as the East coast..might well be the route taken by German bombers on their way to London.
1955 A. L. Rowse Expansion of Elizabethan Eng. i. 12 We get flashes of light upon the lurid scene from the comparative security of the towns..which swept like a sickle around the danger-area.
danger-board n.
ΚΠ
1891 Cycling 21 Feb. 86 The local centre is about to erect a danger-board on Maur Tor Hill.
danger-chuckle n. (see 1859.)
ΚΠ
1859 C. Darwin Origin of Species (1860) vii. 192 If a hen gives the danger-chuckle.
danger-flag n.
ΚΠ
1862 Athenæum 31 May 717 The danger-flag held out to warn their children off the road.
danger-level n.
ΚΠ
1935 Discovery Dec. 360/2 A simple timing device will indicate whether this approaches the danger-level.
1967 Oxf. Computer Explained 31 Danger level, a predetermined level of stock, which when broken requires that any outstanding delivery previously requested be hastened.
danger-point n.
ΚΠ
1835 J. A. Roebuck Short Rev. Long Session 11/1 When this excitement reaches danger-point the Lords will yield.
1897 Daily News 22 Apr. 6/3 The Macedonian difficulty, which is the real danger-point.
1910 Westm. Gaz. 6 Apr. 2/3 The axle is the danger-point in all heavy vehicles which are run at high speeds.
1933 Archit. Rev. 73 p. lviii Such nosings..are apt to wear smooth..and furnish a danger-point at a critical part of the tread.
danger-spot n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > [noun] > instance or cause of
stone-rochec1200
perilc1300
doubta1400
Charybdisc1400
rocka1475
hazard1524
dangera1538
shelve1582
reef1841
kettle-de-benders1872
ankle-breaker1899
danger-spot1905
banana skin1907
1905 Westm. Gaz. 4 Oct. 3/2 The danger-spot in our new Treaty with Japan..is the provision for ‘insuring the independence and integrity of the Chinese Empire’.
1939 L. MacNeice Autumn Jrnl. xii. 49 Education..Trains us to keep the roads nor reconnoitre..the beauty-spots or danger-spots.
danger-whistle n.
ΚΠ
1872 J. Ruskin Eagle's Nest 61 The danger-whistle of the engines on the bridge.
danger-zone n.
ΚΠ
1907 Westm. Gaz. 5 Feb. 7/3 An alarming fire broke out in the City danger-zone soon after six o'clock last night.
1925 J. G. Bruce in E. F. Norton et al. Fight for Everest: 1924 58 Anywhere beyond the Base Camp may be considered as the ‘danger zone’.
1927 Observer 5 June 19/2 The chief new feature [of contract bridge] introduced in America has been what is known as the ‘Vulnerable’ or ‘Danger Zone’.
1928 V. Woolf in Times Lit. Suppl. 19 Jan. 34/1 Let us, as we approach the danger-zone of Hardy's philosophy, be on our guard.
1954 A. J. P. Taylor Struggle for Mastery xvii. 373 He and his advisers recognized that there was a ‘danger-zone’, an imaginary period when the British might suspect German designs and destroy her navy before it could hold its own.
1969 New Yorker 14 June 44/1 Ashe and Clark Graebner have long since entered the danger zone where any major mistake can mean the loss of the set.
b.
danger-free adj.
ΚΠ
1640 J. Shirley St. Patrick v. sig. I2v And make thy person danger-free.
danger-teaching n.
ΚΠ
1616 J. Lane Contin. Squire's Tale 120/47 Fames highe daunger-teachinge schoole.
C2.
danger angle n. (a) Nautical the angle enclosed by lines drawn from two known points to a point marking the limit of safe approach to a danger to navigation, so that a ship by steering a course keeping the two known points at a larger or smaller angle will avoid the danger; (b) Gunnery (see quot. 1918).
ΚΠ
1892 Notes on Navigation H.M. Ships (ed. 3) 13 The use of a danger angle in passing outlying rocks with land behind should also not be forgotten.
1902 Encycl. Brit. XXXI. 109/2 To avoid an unnecessarily wide détour in rounding points and shoals, extensive use is now made of both horizontal and vertical danger angles.
1902 Encycl. Brit. XXXI. 109/2 The vertical danger angle enables similar results to be attained by measuring the vertical angle subtended by a known height.
1918 E. S. Farrow Dict. Mil. Terms Danger angle, the angle which the tangent to the trajectory at the point of splash makes with the plane containing the point of splash and parallel to the horizontal plane through the muzzle of the piece in the firing position.
danger building n. British (now historical) (at Woolwich Arsenal) a building in which are carried on the most dangerous operations in making ammunitions.
ΚΠ
1899 Daily News 8 June 3/4 The Danger Buildings, East Laboratory, Woolwich Arsenal.
1903 Westm. Gaz. 22 June 7/3 Timekeeper in the danger building.
danger line n. a line, real or imaginary, representing the division between safety and danger.
ΚΠ
1890 Congress. Rec. 5 June 5654/2 I believe the good sense of our law-makers will still hold us inside the danger line of peril.
1892 Notes on Navigation H.M. Ships (ed. 3) 8 The five-fathom line on most Admiralty charts is to be considered as a caution or danger line.
1902 Monthly Weather Rev. (U.S.) 30 3/1 The December floods of the Tennessee..continued considerably above the danger lines for the first few days.
1953 L. P. Hartley Go-between xiv. 167 Again I was lucky with the Psalms; the Sunday before there had been forty-four verses; this Sunday there were forty-three, seven below the danger line.
danger man n. a player or competitor in a sports contest regarded as posing a serious threat to the opposition; one capable of winning or turning a game.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > player or sportsperson > [noun] > players by ability
second string1643
first string1865
all-star1893
finalist1898
qualifier1908
seed1931
blue chip1958
blue-chipper1958
danger man1976
1976 Sunday Mail (Glasgow) 28 Nov. 44/7 Musselburgh went in at half-time two goals up after Aird had scored from a penalty and danger man Blackie added another.
1980 Guardian Weekly 5 Oct. 24 He had to wait nearly an hour before he knew that his total of 269 would be good enough... Bernhard Langer of Germany, Severiano Ballesteros, Brian Waites and Lee Trevino all loomed as danger men.
danger money n. a payment made beyond basic wages for dangerous work; also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for labour or service > [noun] > extra payments > for specific working conditions
noise money1883
dirty money1897
hazard pay1935
danger money1942
dirt money1949
1942 W. H. Beveridge Social Insurance 39 If an occupation is specially hazardous it should carry remuneration—‘danger money’. But to give danger money only in the form of higher wages, that is to say, only so long as no accident has occurred, is of little value.
1953 B. Boland Return in Plays of Year IX. 341 There is nothing on this earth so dangerous as putting out a finger to touch another human being's life... We should get danger-money.
1958 Economist 15 Nov. 573/2 It means..adding a new regiment of Naafi volunteers, with their ‘danger money’, to the British men and women who will have to be protected.
1966 Punch 19 Jan. 90/1 It may be that the rage for allowances was originally inspired by the dockers, with their claims for danger money, dirty money,..and all the rest.
danger-signal n. a signal indicating danger; spec. on Railways, a signal (usually the extended arm of a signal-post painted red, or a red light) indicating an obstruction, etc. ahead.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > [noun] > an indication or sign > of change or danger
danger-signal1848
alarm1948
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > warning of imminent danger or evil > [noun] > a warning sign, event, etc.
watchwordc1475
sea-mark1589
buoya1603
warning sign1628
red light1790
tocsin bell1823
tocsin1842
danger-signal1848
yellow light1940
warning bell1951
amber light1956
society > communication > indication > signalling > [noun] > signal > danger-signal
alert1757
red light1790
danger-signal1848
society > travel > rail travel > railway system or organization > [noun] > types of signal system > specific signal
red light1790
danger1841
danger-signal1848
line clear1869
highball signal1894
starter1895
red board1903
stop signal1923
identification light1931
1848 Rep. Railway Commissioners App. 84 The pointsman had not then turned the danger signal.
1856 Times 25 Feb. 6/6 Apparently heedless of..the danger signal turned on at the semaphore against the platform of the passenger station, the driver shot past with his train.
1888 ‘J. Shallow’ Templars Trials 71 A danger-signal to Christendom.
Phrases
Colloquial phr. (to be) on the danger list: (to be) dangerously ill (as of a patient in hospital).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > [adjective] > in state of ill health or diseased > dangerously ill
far gone1533
poorly1570
cankerous1609
dangerous1620
cankery1674
à la mort1700
(to be) on the danger list1938
1938 S. Puder (title) On the danger list. A case history.
1950 C. MacInnes To Victors the Spoils iii. 346 I asked them what they thought of the men on the danger list.
1960 E. H. Clements Honey for Marshal xi. 184 The fellow wasn't on the danger list any more... He could have come up by ambulance.
1970 Times 16 Feb. 3/8 Five patients on the danger list were slightly better, the hospital said.
Draft additions June 2022
danger sign n. a sign indicating a potential danger or hazard, esp. any of a category of public signage with vividly coloured pictograms depicting the nature of the hazard (see quot. 2007); (often figurative) an indication that a bad or dangerous situation or event is likely to develop or occur; cf. warning sign n.
ΚΠ
1860 Morning Post 22 Nov. 2/4 I thought it was strange that I did not hear it [sc. the whistle of a train approaching a station], because the danger sign of the main signal was on.
1886 Galveston (Texas) Daily News 7 Nov. 7/4 His nomination and vote are danger signs of which the conservative and constitution-loving people of the Union should take notice.
1918 Pop. Sci. Monthly Nov. 48/1 It has been suggested that a universal danger sign be adopted—one that will be recognized immediately by any person of any nationality.
1996 T. Barnes Dealing with Depression Introd. 15 [The book] will help you to recognise the..symptoms of despairing behaviour... You may then find yourself in a position to see the danger signs approaching and to take evasive or self-protective action.
2007 Global Broadcast Database (Nexis) 8 Jan. A danger sign near the top of the cliff warns of unstable and slippery surfaces.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† dangerv.
Obsolete.
1. To render liable.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > responsibility > be responsible for [verb (transitive)] > become liable for > render someone liable
dangera1400
contract1650
a1400–50 Alexander 1176 And all þe trouage..Þat he to Darius of dewe was dangird to paye.
1544 R. Tracy Supplycacion to Kynge Henry VIII sig. Dij They be compelled to sell theyr landes..or els to daunger them selfe in dette to many.
1633 T. Adams Comm. 2 Peter ii. 1 If it [libel] be liked, they know the authors; if it be dangered to penalty, it is none of theirs.
2.
a. To bring into or expose to danger; to endanger, imperil, risk.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > endanger [verb (transitive)]
plightOE
imperil?a1425
danger1488
endanger1509
enjeopard1523
peril1556
periclitate1623
jeopardize1646
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > [verb (transitive)] > to person or thing
werdec725
wemc900
forworkOE
evilc1000
teenOE
grievec1230
misdoc1230
mischievec1325
shond1338
endamagec1374
unrighta1393
damagea1400
disvail14..
disavail1429
mischief1437
outrayc1440
prejudice1447
abuse?1473
injuryc1484
danger1488
prejudicate1553
damnify?a1562
wrack1562
inviolate1569
mislestc1573
indemnify1583
qualify1584
interess1587
buse1589
violence1592
injure1597
bane1601
envya1625
prejudiciala1637
founder1655
1488 [see dangering n. at Derivatives].
1544 J. Bale Brefe Chron. Syr J. Oldcastell in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) I. 247 They whyche..haue daungered theyr liues for a commonwelthe.
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 53 The heedelesse practiser which daungereth the patient.
a1593 C. Marlowe Edward II (1594) sig. K3v Therefore come, dalliance dangereth our lives.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) i. ii. 184.
b. (with infinitive) To run the risk; to be in danger.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > face danger [verb (intransitive)] > risk oneself > run or take risks
dicec1440
to put one's finger in the fire1546
hazardc1550
venture1560
to jeopard a joint1563
to venture a joint1570
to run (also take) a (also the) risk (also risks)1621
danger1672
risk1767
gamble1802
to ride a tiger1902
to stick (also put) one's neck out1926
to lead with one's chin1949
to tickle the dragon('s tail)1964
1672–3 A. Marvell Rehearsal Transpros'd II. 238 Should the Legislator persist..he would danger to be left in the field very single.
3. ? To damage, harm, injure. (Cf danger n. 6.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)]
derec888
marc1275
hurt1297
shond1338
teenc1380
offendc1425
tamec1430
wreakc1440
supprisea1450
mischiefc1450
mischieve1465
wringa1529
strikea1535
danger1538
bemarc1540
violate1551
damnify?a1562
injury1579
aggrievea1716
crock1846
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > damage > damage or injure [verb (transitive)]
mareOE
shendOE
hinderc1000
amarOE
awemc1275
noyc1300
touchc1300
bleche1340
blemisha1375
spill1377
misdoa1387
grieve1390
damagea1400
despoil?a1400
matea1400
snapea1400
mankc1400
overthrowa1425
tamec1430
undermine1430
blunder1440
depaira1460
adommage?1473
endamage1477
prejudicec1487
fulyie1488
martyra1500
dyscrase?1504
corrupt1526
mangle1534
danger1538
destroy1542
spoil1563
ruinate1564
ruin1567
wrake1570
injury1579
bane1587
massacre1589
ravish1594
wrong1595
rifle1604
tainta1616
mutilea1618
to do violence toa1625
flaw1665
stun1676
quail1682
maul1694
moil1698
damnify1712
margullie1721
maul1782
buga1790
mux1806
queer1818
batter1840
puckeroo1840
rim-rack1841
pretty1868
garbage1899
savage1899
to do in1905
strafe1915
mash1924
blow1943
nuke1967
mung1969
1538 Bale God's Promises i, in W. C. Hazlitt Dodsley's Sel. Coll. Old Eng. Plays (1874) I. 288 He must needs but fall..And danger himself.
1591 J. Harington tr. L. Ariosto Orlando Furioso i. ix. 2 He would..bestow The damsell faire, on him that in that fight..should..danger most the Pagans with his might.
1614 G. Markham Cheape & Good Husbandry (1668) iii. i. 86 The dodder sheep is the best breeder, and his Issue never dangereth the Dam in yeaning.
Derivatives
ˈdangered adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > [adjective] > exposed to danger
unsurea1400
periclitate1525
dangeredc1604
endangered1609
unsafea1616
perdua1625
insecure1655
imperilled1656
unsecure1656
naufrageous1694
perilled1819
jeopardized1864
periculant1882
at-risk1965
a1400-50 [see sense 1].
c1604 Charlemagne (1938) i. 8 A longe daungerd seaman in a storme.
a1644 F. Quarles Solomons Recantation (1645) 34 Why should thy too much righteousnesse betray Thy danger'd life?
a1821 J. Keats Otho i. i, in R. M. Milnes Life, Lett. & Lit. Remains Keats (1848) II. 113 This danger'd neck is saved.
1915 Oxf. Mag. 21 May 317/1 High Powers that love this dangered folk.
ˈdangering n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > danger > [noun]
plighteOE
hauhtc1200
peril?c1225
wothea1300
werea1325
jeopardyc1374
menacea1400
thronga1400
jeopardc1400
unplighta1425
dangering1488
danger1490
periclitation1527
trance1588
apperila1616
periclitancy1650
imperilment1843
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) viii. l. 547 It is my dett to do all that I can To fend our kynrik out off dangeryng.
1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus iii. 2 To the present dangering and drowning of both.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
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n.adj.?c1225
v.a1400- poison arrow frog
- poison ash
- poison bag
- poison bay
- poison berry
- poison bladder
- poison book
- poison bottle
- poison bowl
- poison breath
- poison bulb
- poison canal
- poison creeper
- poison cup
- poison dart
- poison dart frog
- poison dew
- poison dogwood
- poison duct
- poison elder
- poison fang
- poison flag
- poison flour
- poison flower
- poison frog